About Echinocereus occidentalis (N.P.Taylor) W.Rischer, S.Breckw. & Breckw.
Echinocereus occidentalis is a cactus species that forms clumps of cylindrical, erect, light green stems. Each stem can grow up to 60 cm (24 in) in diameter and 30 cm (12 in) in height, and bears 12 to 19 ribs. Its spines are whitish-yellow with dark tips: there are 9 to 13 radial spines, each between 15 and 20 mm (0.59 to 0.79 in) long, plus 1 to 5 central spines, each between 40 and 55 mm (1.6 to 2.2 in) long. The flowers are magenta with a light-colored center, and measure 50 to 70 mm (2.0 to 2.8 in) in both length and width. The fruits are round, pinkish-red, 30 mm (1.2 in) in diameter, and contain white to pink pulp with black seeds. This species is distributed in south-western Coahuila, central to eastern Durango, and northern Zacateca, where it grows at elevations between 800 and 1,800 m (2,600 and 5,900 ft) in limestone soil within desert shrub habitats.
