Origin and Habitat: Probably northern Mexico, North-Central Chihuahua, unknown in the wild.

• Echinocereus fendleri subs. hempelii (Fobe) W.Blum in W.Blum et al.
• Echinocereus hempelii Fobe
• Echinocereus pseudohempelii hort.

• Echinocereus fendleri (Engelm.) Rümpler
• Cereus fendleri Engelm.
• Echinocereus fendleri var. kuenzleri (Castetter, P.Pierce & K.H.Schwer.) L.D.Benson
• Echinocereus kuenzleri Castetter, P.Pierce & K.H.Schwer.
• Echinocereus roemeri (Muehlenpf.) Rydb.
• Cereus roemeri Muehlenpf.

• Echinocereus fendleri subs. hempelii (Fobe) W.Blum in W.Blum et al.
• Echinocereus hempelii Fobe
• Echinocereus pseudohempelii hort.

• Echinocereus fendleri subs. rectispinus (Peebles) N.P.Taylor
• Echinocereus fendleri var. rectispinus (Peebles) L.D.Benson
• Echinocereus rectispinus Peebles
• Echinocereus fendleri subs. rectispinus Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona, USA

Description: Echinocereus fendleriSN|7149]]SN|7149]] var. hempelii is the Mexican counterpart of the New Mexican Echinocereus fendleri var. kuenzleriSN|7149]]SN|8022]], both these taxa are based mainly on the stem feature (strongly tubercled ribs) and are varieties of the wide ranging and very variable Echinocereus fendleriSN|8022]]SN|7149]].
Distinguishing features: Echinocereus fendleriSN|7149]]SN|7149]] var. hempelii is distinguished for its lack of central spines, the strongly tubercled ribs and the very loosely arranged perianth-segments.
Habit: It is a low growing, scrubby cactus, that grows solitary or slowly basally branching.
Stems: 15-20 cm tall, 6-7 cm in diameter, dark green, soft, with a flabby surface.
Ribs: 8 to 10 strongly tuberculate.
Areoles: Circular, white, 8 to 17 mm apart.
Radial spines: Few (3 to 6) about 1 cm long or less, spreading white needle-like, thick, angular, flattened, e radials with brown or blackish tips.
Central spines: Absent.
Flowers: Funnelform, from near the top of plant, rather large, 6-8 cm in diameter, purple-violet and delicate, inner perianth segments, few, about 14, loosely arranged, relatively broad, obtuse 3 cm. long and strongly toothed above. Ovary bearing conspicuous red scales, spiny. Style longer than the stamens.
Blooming season: Spring ( in habitat April to June).
Fruit: 2,5-5 cm long, 12 mm in diameter, turning scarlet, less often orange-tan or purplish orange, pulp magenta or red. All varieties have delicious edible fruits.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
2) Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” vol. 4 The Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1923
3) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey "The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass" Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
4) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006
5) A. Michael Powell, James F. Weedin “Cacti of the Trans-Pecos & Adjacent Areas” Texas Tech University Press, 2004
6) Del Weniger “Cacti of Texas and Neighboring States: A Field Guide” University of Texas Press, 1984
7) United States. Bureau of Land Management. Las Cruces District Office “Grazing management: McGregor Eis Area, New Mexico” U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Las Cruces District Office, 1980

Cultivation and Propagation: It grows rather slowly and is sensitive to over-watering (rot prone). Keep drier and cool in winter. It needs full sun. Very cold resistant, reportedly to -18°C or less (depending on clones), but needs good drainage and protection from excessive moisture in winter and well mulched with gravel chips. It is a fine plant for a rock garden or container, and contrasts well with agaves, yuccas, and low-growing flowering plants. It will show its flowers only provided with an adequate winter rest period.
Propagation: Seeds, can also be grown from cuttings, as it branches from the base.