Echinocereus pacificus is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus pacificus grows solitary, in clumps of 30-60 cm in diameter containing around 100 stems. Stems are cylindrical to elongated shoots long, with 10 to 12 ribs and a 4 to 5, strong, upright central spine that is white or light gray with a darker tip, measuring in length. Additionally, there are 10 to 12 spreading, straight, whitish or grayish radial spines that are long. The flowers of are cup-shaped and deep red orange and } in diameter. They appear in the upper half of the shoots. The spherical, fleshy fruits are spiny, long.[1] Chromosome count is 4n=44[2]
There are two recognized subspecies:[3]
| Image | Scientific name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Echinocereus pacificus subsp. mombergerianus | Mexico (N. Baja California) | |
| Echinocereus pacificus subsp. pacificus | Mexico (NW. Baja California) | |
Plants are found growing on granite slopes and xeric scrub in Baja California, Mexico at elevations around 110 to 2600 meters. Plants are found growing along with Adenostoma fasciculatum, Stipa speciosa, Arctostaphylos peninsularis, Dudleya pulverulenta, Lotus rigidus, Nolina microcarpa, Pinus monophylla, Rhamnus crocea, Opuntia phaeacantha, Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa, Pinus quadrifolia, Ferocactus viridescens and Malosma laurina.[4]
The plant was first described by George Engelmann in 1886 as Cereus phoeniceus var. pacificus. It was elevated to a species in 1922 by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose.