Mexican Claret Cup Hedgehog (Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. neomexicanus)

Mexican Claret Cup Hedgehog
Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. neomexicanus

This is a native in my area.

Cactuspatch,
I don't think this image is of E. engelmannii.
The reasons are:
If you compare the flowers, stems and spines to this E. engelmanni,
Your petals aren't as big and pointed, the perianth parts of the flower are also more compact on yours.
The spines on yours are shorter.
The stems are thicker on yours.

E. engelmannii is also not native to NM
http://plants.usda.gov/java/stateSearch?searchTxt=echinocereus&searchType=Sciname&stateSelect=US35&searchOrder=1&imageField.x=0&imageField.y=0

What I believe you have pictured here is one of three. Either, Echinocereus coccineus, E. polyacanthus or E. triglochidiatus.
In my assessment, I believe you have E. coccineus.
The spines, stems and flower shape/style are the same.
The only thing I see different is the flower color.
In my few books that I have, it says the flower color is supposed to be red-orange only, but this link states that they are also in pink, although apparently pretty rare.
http://www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/plants/handbooks/cacti/hardycacti.html

There might be another older book that states that the flower color is also pink and it might even give a name for the variety or form, but I don't have it.
I did find two images on google of a pink-flowered E. coccineus.
http://www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/plants/handbooks/cacti/hardycacti.html
http://flickr.com/photos/14743034@N07/2537517624/

Do you have any information about this pink flowered version? And also any info on what the variety or form name might be, (If any exist at all)?

Thanks for that information. I do not have info other than a small book I have "Cacti of the Desert Southwest" by Meg Quinn Copyright 2001. She shows a photo that looks like this one as Echinocereus engelmanni with the common name Strawberry hedgehog (which is what we locals have always called it) She states that it is native to SW US and NW Mexico. I am in New Mexico, 70 miles from NW Mexico. Anyhow she goes on to state that 9 varieties have been recognized?? Her description sounds like mine and I have noticed that the size of the cactus and blooms seem to all enlarge with age.

In looking at your links and my book, I recall that I originally thought think mine was eneacanthus. However my book states they typically grow from sea level to 4000 feet and mine and some behind the Space museum are at 4500 feet. So I thought it would not be that one.

The flowers may enlarge with age but they are going to keep thier same basic Style and Characteristics.

On yours, the type of the flower style is that of a Claret Cup Type, which have particular characteristics apart from an E. engelmannii style of flower.

Compare this E. coccineus flower (Claret Cup type)
Notice the inner parts of the flower are not spread out like the engelmannii flower is.
The petals are shaped like a 'Cup' like yours are:
http://www.wnmu.edu/academic/nspages2/gilaflora/echinocereus_coccineus.jpg

E. engelmannii flower
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/70239/

E. coccineus is also native to your area.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/county?state_name=New%20Mexico&statefips=35&symbol=ECCOC

So should I move the photo? I will go check and see if I can delete it. I didn't see how to delete. I thought this was a enneacanthus except that it lists it at a lower elevation. But I did find my original one at this altitude and on a rocky hillside.

How do we change this?

This message was edited Jul 23, 2008 11:25 AM

I don't think this is E. enneacanthus either, because of the style of flower is different.
I strongly believe that this is Echinocereus coccineus with the rare pink flower color.
No, you don't have to delete it. Just click on "Report an Error" button at the top of the page in this link: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/187858/
and ask that it be moved to the Echinocereus coccineus page, and mention this thread in the report.

I will do that. This is a photo of a closer view of the flower.

Yep, definately a 'Claret Cup' style flower.
And these are some of my favorite flowers on hedgehogs.
It would also be good to put this closeup photo in the PF also.

Thanks again for pointing this out and for all the help you have given here at DG! I will add that photo too then.