Strawberry cactus
Echinocereus enneacanthus

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus which forms clusters. It tends to lie over. The stems are 20 cm long and 3-7 cm wide. There are 8-10 blunt ribs. The spine spots are white and round. They are 1 cm apart. There are 7-10 spines which radiate out. These are white and 1.5 cm long. There are 1-3 spines in the centre and these are 4-6.5 cm long and yellowish-brown. The flowers are pale purplish-red. They are 5-6 cm long and about 7 cm across. The fruit are round with pink flesh and a strawberry taste.

There are about 60 Echinocereus species.

Where it is found

It needs a sunny position. It needs a temperature above 10°C.

Countries/locations it is found in

Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh or preserved. They are also used for jam.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alicoche, Banana cactus, Biznaga, Cob cactus, Green strawberry hedgehog cactus, Pitaya, Prostrate hedgehog cactus, Purple pitaya

Synonyms

Cereus dubius Engelm.; Echinocereus dubius (Engel.)Rumpler; Echinocereus enneacanthus var. dubius (Engel.) L.D. Benson; Echinocereus uspenskii F. Haage; Echinocereus merkeri Hildemann ex K. Schumann; Echinocereus sarissophorus Britton & Rose; Echinocereus enneacanthus f. brevispinus W.O. Moore; Echinocereus enneacanthus var. brevispinus (W.O. Moore) L.D. Benson; Echinocereus enneacanthus subsp. brevispinus (W.O. Moore) N.P. Taylor;