Echinocereus polyacanthus

Echinocereus polyacanthus is a species of cactus native to Mexico.

Description
Echinocereus polyacanthus grows solitary or in clusters, often forming groups or cushions with up to 400 shoots. The bright to dark green cylindrical shoots taper at both the base and tip, measuring 10 to 30 centimeters in length and 2 to 7.5 cm in diameter. They feature nine to 13 smooth or tuberous ribs. Each plant has one to seven brown or yellow-brown central spines, thickened at the base, and up to 5 cm long, though their length varies. Additionally, there are six to 14 overlapping, dirty white radial spines, each up to 2 cm long.

The flowers are tubular to funnel-shaped, ranging from bright pinkish-orange to deep red, with a yellowish or whitish throat. They appear near the shoot tips, measuring 3 to 14 cm in length and 2 to 8 cm in diameter. The green, egg-shaped fruits contain white flesh and do not tear.

Distribution
Echinocereus polyacanthus is found in Arizona and New Mexico in the United States, extending Chihuaua, Durango, Cosihuiriachi, Sierra Madre Occidental in eastern Sonora Mexico, and Baja California peninsula in Mexico growing on rocky outcrops between 1300 and 2000 m.

Taxonomy
It was first described as Cereus polyacanthus by George Engelmann in 1848. The specific epithet "polyacanthus" comes from the Greek words "poly" (many) and "akantha" (thorn), referring to the species' thorny shoots.