Plant Description
Loose clumps of fewer than 20 somewhat flaccid stems.
Purple to lavender flowers and a principal central spine that is not flattened at the base distinguishes this from other Echinocereus sp.
Habitat
Limestone or igneous substrates, mostly south-facing hillsides.
Flowers
Funnel-shaped, approximately 3-1/4 inches long flowers are borne on the upper part of the plant. Open during the day and closed at night.
Stems
Usually 1 - 20 uncrowded stems, often mound-like, ribs usually 9 - 10 per stem.
Areoles
These are structures unique to cacti, found on the stems, areas from which spines, flowers and fruits emerge.
The central spine is dark brown to black becoming gray, slightly curved upward, rigid and not flattened. Radial spines are spreading, shorter, lighter colored, sometimes sinuous, often with a dark stripe on underside with different colors in same areole.
Fruit
Fruit is less than 2 inches long and spiny. Fruit color is bright or dull red or purplish-maroon, less often orangish-tan or purplish-orange. Pulp is magenta or red.