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Claret Cup, Strawberry Cactus
Scientific Name: Echinocereus triglochidiatus Engelmann
Synonym: Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. paucispinus
Family: Cactaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone: sunset: 10-13 USDA: 7-10 Frost Tolerance: Depends on the variety, var. arizonicus is hardy to 20° F (-6° C), the other varieties are much more cold resistant Minimum Avg. Temperature: 50°F (10°C) Heat Tolerance: Needs some shade in Phoenix in summer Sun Exposure: Full sun, afternoon shade Origin: Nevada, Utah, and Colorado south to southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico Growth Habits: Solitary, or mounds of clumping stems, the stems are up to 12 inches tall (30 cm), 6 inches in diameter (15 cm) Watering Needs: Regular water in summer in Phoenix, minimal or none in most other places, keep drier in winter Propagation: Seeds, offsets

The several varieties are so different looking that the only uniting factor is the bright red bloom and rounded petals. Some authorities recognize the following varieties:
E. triglochidiatus var. triglochidiatus
E. t. var. arizonicus (Rose) L. Benson Arizona hedgehog cactus (endangered): oak woodland
E. t. var. gurneyi L. Benson : Chihuahuan desert, desert grassland
E. t. var. inermis Rowley spineless hedgehog cactus
E. t. var. melanacanthus (Engelm.) L. Benson :Rocky Mountain montane forest, pinyon-juniper woodland
E. t. var. mojavensis (Engelm. & Bigel.) L. Benson : Mojave desert, chaparral
E. t. var. neomexicanus (Standl.) Standl. ex W. T. Marshall : oak, pinyon-juniper woodland
E. t. var. paucispinus (Engelm.) Engelm. ex W. T. Marshall

The variety E. t. variety toroweapensis Fischer has been proposed.

A spineless form of E. t. var. mojavensis occurs in the mountains and mesas of western Colorado and eastern Utah.

Echinocereus coccineus is now considered a distinct species.

Blooming Habits:
The scarlet flowers are diurnal, remaining open for 2 or 3 days. They are followed by a red and juicy fruit, with deciduous spines