About Echinocereus barthelowianus Britton & Rose
Echinocereus barthelowianus (Britton & Rose) frequently forms clusters that can reach up to 80 centimeters (31 inches) in diameter. Its upright, cylindrical shoots grow up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) long and between 3.5 and 5 centimeters (1.4 to 2.0 inches) in diameter, and are mostly covered in dense thorns. This species has eight to ten slightly tuberous ribs that bear large areoles. Its thorns are pink to red when young, and darken to black as they age. It has five to nine strong, straight central spines that can grow up to 7 centimeters (2.8 inches) long, plus 18 marginal spines that measure 1 to 2 centimeters (0.39 to 0.79 inches) long. The broad, funnel-shaped flowers of Echinocereus barthelowianus are lavender in color, and appear from the tips of the shoots down to their base. The flowers grow up to 5 centimeters (2.0 inches) long and 4 to 6 centimeters (1.6 to 2.4 inches) in diameter. Echinocereus barthelowianus is widespread in Baja California Sur, and is particularly common around Isla Magdalena and neighboring islands. It grows on rocky hillsides at elevations between 10 and 300 meters (33 to 984 feet). It grows alongside the cactus species Cochemiea halei, Cochemiea poselgeri, Cochemiea dioica, Cochemiea schumannii, Stenocereus eruca, Stenocereus gummosus, Cylindropuntia molesta, Cylindropuntia cholla, Cylindropuntia tesajo, Opuntia pycnantha, Opuntia invicta, Pachycereus pringlei, Stenocereus thurberi, and Lophocereus schottii.
