Echinocereus pulchellus

Echinocereus pulchellus is a species of cactus native to Mexico.

Description
Echinocereus pulchellus typically grows alone, shrinking during the dry season and retreating underground. Its blue-green spherical shoots range from 2 to 13 cm in length and have the same diameter, with thickened roots. The plant has nine to 17 widely spaced, slightly tuberculated ribs. It has three to 14 radial spines that are yellowish to whitish, darkening with age, and are 0.1 to 1 cm long. The broadly funnel-shaped flowers are pink to magenta or white, appearing on the sides of the shoots. They are 3 to 6 cm long and up to 8 cm in diameter. The small spherical fruits are nearly dry when ripe and contain only a few seeds.

Distribution
Echinocereus pulchellus is found in the Mexican states of Oaxaca, Hidalgo, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, and Nuevo León, growing on grassy patches at altitudes of 1800 to 2400 meters. Despite its large distribution area, populations are limited to narrow habitats.

Taxonomy
Originally described as Echinocactus pulchellus by Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius in 1832, the specific epithet pulchellus derives from the Latin word pulcher, meaning 'pretty'.