Echinocereus

Echinocereus is a genus of ribbed, usually small to medium-sized cylindrical cacti, comprising about 70 species from the southern United States and Mexico in very sunny rocky places. Usually the flowers are large and the fruit edible.
The name comes from the ancient Greek echinos meaning hedgehog and the Latin cereus meaning candle. They are sometimes known as hedgehog cacti, a term also used for the Pediocactus and Echinopsis.
===Synonyms===
* Morangaya G.D.Rowley
* Wilcoxia Britton & Rose
==Description==
Echinocerus are bushy and globular with tight spines which are often colorful and decorative. The flowers last slightly longer than other those of other cacti.
==Cultivation==
Echinocereus is easier to culture than other cacti. They need a light soil, a sunny exposure, a fresh and dry winter to flower. They like a soil slightly richer than other cacti.
In the wild, several of the species are cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures as low as -23°C but only in dry conditions. Sometimes, they shrink in winter but they look fine again with first waterings in the first sunny days.
==References==
==Bibliography==
* Fischer, Pierre C. 70 Common Cacti of the Southwest. City unknown: Southwest Parks and Monuments Association, 1989.
* Anderson, Miles (1998). The Ultimate Book of Cacti and Succulents. ISBN 1 85967 460 7. Lorenz Books.
* Innes C, Wall B (1995). Cacti' Succulents and Bromaliads. Cassell & The Royal Horticultural Society.
* Anderson, Edward F. : "The Cactus Family" (2001)
* Taylor, Nigel P.: The Genus Echinocereus. Kew Magazine Monograph, Timber Press 1985, ISBN 0881920525
* Blum, Lange, Rischer & Rutow: "Echinocereus", (1998)
==External links==
* Echinocereus on CactiGuide.com
* Echinocereus Online (in German)
Category:Entheogens