Echinofossulocactus

Family Cactaceae. Echinofossulocactus come primarily from the eastern regions of Mexico, in particular the states of Hidalgo and Zacatecas, where they are almost always found in semi-shade, under shrubs, or hidden in grass.

Small globular or short- cylindrical plants, growing singly or becoming branched at maturity, with numerous wavy ribs (the only exception is Е. copwnogonus). The number of ribs varies greatly, from 30 up to 120 in Е. multicoslalus. Areoles, bearing clusters of spines, are fairly distinctly spaced from one another. The radial spines are thin; several central spines are usually flattened and protrude. Flowers, rarely reaching 2.5 cm in diameter, can be white, yellow or pink; along the midline of each perianth segment there is often a darker stripe. The fruit is very small, covered with papery scales.

All species are very easy to cultivate, but they grow slowly. For planting it is better to use a mixture of equal parts sand and humus-rich soil. From spring to autumn the plants are watered abundantly, placed under lightly shaded glass. Species with less dense spination require stronger shading. In winter a dry regime is preferable with a minimum temperature of 8° C.