Echinocereus maritimus

Echinocereus maritimus is a cactus that forms cushions with up to 300 shoots, growing to 40 cm (16 in) high and 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in diameter. The light to dark green, cylindrical shoots are 5 to 30 cm (2.0 to 11.8 in) long and 3 to 7 cm (1.2 to 2.8 in) in diameter, with eight to twelve sharp ribs. Initially bright red, the spines turn dirty yellow or gray over time. The seven to ten central spines are flattened, angular, and 3 to 6 cm (1.2 to 2.4 in) long, while the radial spines are 1.5 to 2.5 cm (0.59 to 0.98 in) long. The bright yellow, funnel-shaped flowers appear below the shoot tips, growing up to 6 cm (2.4 in) long and wide. The spherical, thorny fruits start green and turn red as they mature.

Echinocereus maritimus is native to the west coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula and nearby islands growing in coastal desert scrub at elevations between 0 and 50 meters. Plants are found growing along with Euphorbia misera, Agave sebastiana, Bergerocactus emoryi, Lophocereus schottii, Myrtillocactus cochal, Ferocactus fordii, Cylindropuntia prolifera, Cochemiea pondii, Mammillaria brandegeei, and Cochemiea hutchisoniana subsp. louisae .