Echinocereus sp.
Hedgehog cactus, Hedgehog Cactus
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Echinocereus sp. (Hedgehog cactus) is a native California perennial in the Cactaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
Yes. Echinocereus sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Echinocereus sp. belong to?
Echinocereus sp. is in the Cactaceae family, genus Echinocereus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Echinocereus engelmannii — Calico cactus
- Echinocereus engelmannii var. howei — Howe's hedgehog cactus
- Echinocereus mojavensis — Mojave kingcup cactus
- Escobaria alversonii — Foxtail cactus
- Escobaria chlorantha — Desert pincushion
- Escobaria sp. — Beehive cactus
- Escobaria vivipara var. rosea — Viviparous foxtail cactus
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.