Echinocereus rayonesensis

Echinocereus rayonesensis is a species of cactus native to Mexico.

Description
Echinocereus rayonesensis grows with many shoots and branches at ground level. The upright, cylindrical shoots are 12 to 28 cm long and have a diameter of 2.5 to 4.5 cm. They are hidden by the dense thorns. There are ten to 15 ribs that are tuberculated. The hair-like or slender thorns on them are glassy white to yellowish. The five to nine downward-facing central spines are 3 to 5 cm long. The 15 to 25 radial spines, occasionally more, are 0.7 to 1.5 cm long.

The broadly funnel-shaped flowers are somewhat purple-magenta in color and have a white throat. They appear on the sides of the shoots, are 2.5 to 6 cm long and reach 2.8 to 6 cm in diameter. The elongated fruits are olive green to brown.

Distribution
Echinocereus rayonesensis is widespread in the Mexican state of Nuevo León in the Rayones Valley.

Taxonomy
The first description by Nigel Paul Taylor was published in 1988. The specific epithet "rayonesensis" refers to the occurrence of the species in the Mexican Valley of Rayones.