Echinocereus engelmannii
Calico cactus
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Echinocereus engelmannii (Calico cactus) is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by mound size, rib count, tubercle prominence, and flower shape.
Calico cactus is a California native perennial found in the Sonoran Borders, Peninsular Ranges, White and Inyo Mountains, and desert regions in dry habitats at elevations below 2,400 meters. Flowering from May to June, this cactus produces vibrant flowers in short-funnel to bell-shaped forms. Growing in clump-forming or loose, open mounds up to 70 centimeters in diameter, the stems are cylindrical with 10 to 13 distinct ribs and reach 5 to 45 centimeters tall. Its spines are highly variable, with 15 to 20 spines per areole, including 2 to 7 central spines that can be straight or twisted. These distinctive cacti form low, spreading clusters in arid landscapes with dramatic, colorful spinal arrangements.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by mound size, rib count, tubercle prominence, and flower shape
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry habitats
Elevation: < 2400 m
California counties: San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Inyo, Imperial, Los Angeles
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona, Mexico
Bloom period
Echinocereus engelmannii blooms May-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Cylindropuntia: Echinocereus has soft clustering stems; Cylindropuntia has firm jointed segments with papery spine sheaths.; vs Homalocephala: Echinocereus clusters with soft flesh and side flowers; Homalocephala stays single with hard flesh.; vs Ferocactus: Echinocereus flowers from stem sides and forms clusters; Ferocactus flowers at top and stays single.; vs Opuntia: Echinocereus has cylindrical clustering stems; Opuntia has flat paddle-shaped segments.; vs Echinopsis: Echinocereus has spiny scaly flower base; Echinopsis has smooth naked flower base.
Frequently asked questions
Is Echinocereus engelmannii native to California?
Yes. Echinocereus engelmannii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Echinocereus engelmannii bloom?
Echinocereus engelmannii blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Echinocereus engelmannii grow?
Echinocereus engelmannii occurs in San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Inyo, Imperial, Los Angeles, at elevations of < 2400 m.
What plant family does Echinocereus engelmannii belong to?
Echinocereus engelmannii is in the Cactaceae family, genus Echinocereus.
What habitat does Echinocereus engelmannii grow in?
Echinocereus engelmannii grows in dry habitats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.