PlantFiles: Fitch's Hedgehog Cactus, Black Lace Cactus
Echinocereus reichenbachii subsp. fitchii

Echinocereus reichenbachii subsp. fitchii is Endemic to Texas and is classified as an Endangered species.

The 'reichenbachii' subspecies has nicely scented and brilliant pink blooms. It has zero central spines and 18 to 30 or more radial spines per areole which are almost linear.
The 'armatus' subspecies has scented pinkk flowers near the stem top. It has 1 or 2 central spines and up to 23 radial spines per areole wich are linear-elliptical.
The 'baileyi' subspecies has scented pinkk flowers near the stem top. It has 1 to 3 central spines and up to 14 radial spines per areole which arenarrow and elliptical
The 'fitchii' subspecies used to be a variety, but has now joined the ranks of a subspecies. It has violet flowers with deep a red throat. The stems only get to about 6 inches tall instead of 16 inches like the 3 previous subspecies . This subspecies is listed on the endangered and protected list. It has 1 to 7 central spines and up to 22 radial spines on elliptical areoles.
The 'perbellus' subspecies has purple flowers with hairy areoles on the floral tube. The stems will only reach a height of about 2 to 4 inches tall. It has zero or 1 central spine and less than 20 radial spines on elliptical areoles.
All subspecies will either grow solitary stems or clump to as many 12 stems.

One of my favourites, a somewhat clumping species with cylindrical stems up to 15cm long and 5cm wide with apx 13 ribs. On my specimen which is apx 3 years old, the stems are 4x2.5cm. The flowers are 5-7cm wide, magenta to rose-pink with a darker centre.