Texas Rainbow Hedgehog, Yellow pitaya

Frost Tolerance: Hardy in Phoenix

Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade

Origin: Southern USA (Texas, New Mexico), northern Mexico

Growth Habits: Cylindrical cactus, branching from the base, very spiny, 4 to 8 (to 16) inches tall (10-20-40 cm), 2 to 4 inches diameter (5-10 cm); 15 to 21 straight ribs; areoles 0.1 to 0.2 inch apart (3-5 mm); 3 to 10 central spines, up to 0.6 inch long (15 mm); 16 to 24 radials, up to 0.4 inch long (1 cm)

Watering Needs: Little water when established

Propagation: Offsets, seeds

The species name "dasyacanthus" comes from the Greek for "with dense spines". It is closely related to Echinocereus pectinatus.
Echinocereus ctenoides, now included in E. dasyacanthus, used to be distinguished from E dasyacanthus by its central spines in one line.

Blooming Habits:
Abundant yellow to pink flowers in April-May, 4 inches long (10 cm). The outer petals have often a darker or reddish midstripe. The stigma has 16-20 lobes. The spiny fruits are edible, although acid. The seeds are tuberculate, black.