Engelmanns hedgehog cactus flower (purple-spined form)

Description:

(Now likely falls into the concept of Echinocereus relictus.)Echinocereus engelmannii (Parry ex Engel.) Lem., April 26, 1986, Washington Co, Utah.Various common names include Engelmanns hedgehog cactus and Strawberry hedgehog cactus. Cacti fall in the order Caryophyllales. Most families within that order which produce betalains and lack anthocyanins so we try not to use words that indicate they are purple; however, this plant was at one time named at the varietal name that referenced purple which is why I have used it here. Words that instead involve shades of red and pink are best when referring to colors of plants in the cactus family. "Magenta" is sometimes used for some species but magenta would include blue pigments which cacti lack so we try not to use that word as well. The flower color (here) is a dark pink. The spines are dark red or almost red-black. This is the purple-spined morphotype which was at one time recognized as E. engelmannii var. purpureus L. Benson, and listed under the Endangered Species Act.