About Echinocereus brandegeei (J.M.Coult.) Schelle
Echinocereus brandegeei is a cactus that grows with multiple shoots, forming large, loose clumps up to 2 meters in diameter. Its light green, cylindrical shoots vary in size: they creep at the base and have upright tips, reaching up to 100 cm (39 in) in length and 6 cm (2.4 in) in diameter. Each shoot has eight to ten sharply angular ribs, and is densely covered with thorns that range in color from white to black. It bears four central spines arranged crosswise, which are flattened, stiff, and sword-like, measuring 3 to 13 cm (1.2 to 5.1 in) long. It also has ten to 18 radial spines that are rounded, stiff, and up to 2 cm (0.79 in) long. Its broadly funnel-shaped flowers are light purple-lavender to light pink with a bright red throat. Flowers appear along the entire length of the shoot, measuring 5.5 to 9.5 cm (2.2 to 3.7 in) in length and 4 to 8.3 cm (1.6 to 3.3 in) in diameter. Its spherical fruits are red. This cactus is found on the Baja California peninsula and all islands from San Marcos to Espíritu Santo in the Gulf of California. It grows in very dry areas including xeric scrublands, stony areas, and sandy soils near the beach, at elevations ranging from 0 to 300 meters. It is found growing alongside Pachycereus pringlei, Stenocereus thurberi, Opuntia tapona, Stenocereus eruca, Cylindropuntia cholla, Ferocactus peninsulae, Ferocactus emoryi subsp. rectispinus, Stenocereus gummosus, Jatropha cuneata, Euphorbia lomelii, Bursera microphylla, and Fouquieria diguetii. In parts of its range, it also grows among Echinocereus maritimus and Opuntia invicta.
