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Echinocereus engelmannii

Accession Count: 22
Common Name: Engelmann's hedgehog, strawberry hedgehog cactus
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Family Name: Cactaceae
Botanical Name: Echinocereus engelmannii
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Strawberry hedgehog is an upright cactus consisting of few to many stems that stand alone or grow together in small to large clusters of 60. (1, 2, 3, 7).  Each stem grows up to 25 inches in height is light green in color, cylindrical, though sometimes tapering laterally, with each stem free of the others at the base. (1,2, 3, 7).  Attached to the stems are areoles, spaced about 0.2 to 0.6 inches apart. They are wooly only in their first year of development (4). Spines attached at the areoles contain about 8-20 spines, which are 2-3 inches long. The color of the spines varies greatly usually having some combination of tan, black and white patterning. Englemann's hedgehog is the earliest cactus to flower in spring, producing showy magenta flowers (1,4). The flower color may vary in a single population ranging from pale to dark pink. The flowers are 2-5 inches in size (4). The flowers are considered diurnal. Meaning they open during the day and close at night. The flowers only last a total of 5 days. The fruits follow in late spring to early summer when flowers are pollinated (4). They are spherical fleshy, red-orange berries, that are 2 inches in diameter. 
Compound: Ech eng
Geographic Origin: Desert Southwest
Ecozone Origin: Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History: The Engelmann's hedgehog is one of the most common species in the southwestern USA (4). They are native to the Sonoran desert and are listed as "salvage restricted" under Arizona Native Plant Law (1). This cactus can also be found in other parts of southwestern Mexico, including the Sonoran desert (4). They are usually found growing below 7,000 feet in elevation (5). The common name of the Engelmann's hedgehog was given as an honor to the botanist George Engelmann. He was famous for describing many types of plants, including cacti (3,5).
Cultivation Notes: Engelmann's hedgehog is a low-maintenance plant, especially in the Sonoran desert, as it is native and does not require watering supplemental to rainfall. It should be grown in locations with full sun (1). This species is hardy to zones 8-11 or 15°F. The Engelmann's hedgehog should be grown in a well-draining mix that contains no organic material. They like chunky, rocky, and porous soils. This cactus can be propagated from seeds and divisions of the stem clumps (6).
Ethnobotany: Engelmann's hedgehog is often used as a container plant in landscapes and has visual appeal when planted near a walkway or when used in a mixed planting of desert trees, shrubs, and succulents (1). This plant is excellent in native gardens and as a ground cover, as it can create up to 60 different stems (5). Its fruit is edible. Many native American tribes have used fruit as a source of food. Pima used to eat the fruits raw as long as the kids would eat them as a snack. Yavapai would also eat them, but they would boil the buds and eat them. Apache would also eat the fruits raw (1,5). 
Height: 0 - 5 feet
Width: 0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate: Slow Growing
Grow Season: ForeSummer
Flower Season: Spring
Color: Red
Function: Accent
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Low water Use
Citations:
  1. Mielke, Judy. Native Plants for Southwestern Landscapes. University of Texas Press, 1993.
  2. American Southwest 
  3. The University of Texas at Austin 
  4. Llifle
  5. Southwest Desert Flora 
  6. Arizona Sate University 
  7. California Native Plant Society
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Echinocereus engelmannii