Hedgehog Cactus, Echinocereus engelmannii

Photo of Hedgehog Cactus in flower

The most common Echinocereus known to occur in Anza-Borrego is Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus, Echinocereus engelmannii, pictured above. A few planted Mojave or Claret Cup Hedgehog cacti (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) have also been discovered.

Always a nice patch of subtlly colored stems and spines (with brilliantly colored flowers in spring and early summer), E. engelmannii grows close to the ground, usually in clumps of up to two or three dozen low branches. The flower of E. engelmannii is a lovely shade of red sometimes referred to as Strawberry Hedgehog cactus. Another common name for E. engelmannii is Calico Cactus because of the spine colors, helpful in identifying this plant.

The stems of Hedgehog Cactus are noticeably narrower than the stems of California Barrel Cactus and the Mohave Mound Cactus, both of which have red spines and yellow flowers.

There is a large population of E. engelmannii on the hillside east of the San Felipe monument overlooking Highway S-2 half a mile north of Scissors Crossing. Much of the time, you will find this species scattered in fields of other cacti and plants liking dry ground. If you hike regularly to a certain spot, you may become familiar with the E. engelmannii that grow there. Each time you return, they are there to greet you.