Hedgehog cacti (scientific name: Echinocereus) are my overall favorites. They look just like little "barrel" cacti; complete with vertical ribs, and spines of all types - especially hooked, curved or dagger like. Growing solitary or sometimes in large groups, it's a rare and beautiful sight to see an entire group in bloom with their large flowers! Many species grow in colder climates.

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Engelmann's Hedgehog #1a (Echinocereus engelmannii) (27.98K)

Engelmann's Hedgehog #1b (Echinocereus engelmannii) (13.35K)

Engelmann's Hedgehog #2a (Echinocereus engelmannii) (29.36K)

Engelmann's Hedgehog #2b (Echinocereus engelmannii)

Engelmann's Hedgehog #2c (Echinocereus engelmannii) (21.07K)

Engelmann's Hedgehog #3a(Echinocereus engelmannii) (21.64K)

Engelmann's Hedgehog #3b(Echinocereus engelmannii) (26.84K)

Claret Cup #4a (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) (34.31K)

Claret Cup #4b (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) (11.59K)

Torch Cactus #5a (Echinocereus viridiflorus)

Torch Cactus #5b (Echinocereus viridiflorus) (18.36K)

Torch Cactus #5c (Echinocereus viridiflorus) (14.16K)

Last modified on February 8, 2007