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Echinocereus stramineus

Echinocereus stramineus (Engelm.) F. Seitz

Strawberry hedgehog cactus, Pitaya

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Synonym(s): Echinocereus enneacanthus var. stramineus

USDA Symbol: ECST2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Pitaya has many large spines. It has 11-13 ribs with fairly deep furrows between them. They tend to cluster, sometimes forming large, compact clumps with 100 or more stems. These larger clumps are rounded, often 2-3 feet across and nearly as high. Stems are about 10 inches tall and 3 1/2 inches in diameter. The purple-red flowers are 4-5 inches tall and 3-4 inches across. They are dark red at the base, fading to rose at the tips. The inner petals are toothed. The 10-15 outer petals have pink edges.