Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Common name: pink-flower hedgehog cactus, Fendler's hedgehog cactus

Family: Cactaceae (Cactus)

Distribution: Southwestern United States

Habitat: Grasslands, open woodlands

Hardiness: USDA Zone 6 (-10 to 0 °F)

Life form: Cactus/succulent

Occurrence in New Mexico: New Mexico native plant

Growing Conditions: The native range of Fendler’s hedgehog cactus extends from a small area of southern Colorado and Utah, through Arizona, New Mexico and west Texas to Chihuahua and Sonora, Mexico. It is most common in New Mexico. It grows on dry, sandy or gravelly soil in full sun. It is often found on south-facing hillsides at elevations from 3000-8000 feet, but also grows on plains. It can be found growing among bunch grasses, piñon and junipers, or in pine-oak or mesquite woodlands. This somewhat long-lived cactus reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by stem offsets and fallen stem fragments.