Origin and Habitat: Mexico, Sinaloa, Durango, between El Carrizo & Loberas.

• Echinocereus ortegae subs. koehresianus (G.Frank) W.Rischer & G.Frank
• Echinocereus koehresianus hort. ex N.P.Taylor
• Echinocereus koehresii hort. ex N.P.Taylor
• Echinocereus ortegae f. koehresianus D.Parker
• Echinocereus scheeri var. koehresianus G.Frank

• Echinocereus ortegae Rose in J.G.Ortega
• Echinocereus ortegae subs. koehresianus (G.Frank) W.Rischer & G.Frank
• Echinocereus koehresianus hort. ex N.P.Taylor
• Echinocereus koehresii hort. ex N.P.Taylor
• Echinocereus ortegae f. koehresianus D.Parker
• Echinocereus scheeri var. koehresianus G.Frank

Description: This plant previously classificated as Echinocereus ortegaeSN|8657]]SN|21775]] subs. koehresianus is instead related to Echinocereus scheeriSN|8657]]SN|8657]], it differs in its intensely spiny finger sized stems that branch profusely from the base. It has a whitish appearance due to spine colour. However the distinguishing characteristics of this plant, appear to fall within the natural variation of Echinocereus scheeriSN|21775]]SN|8657]] and it should be synonymized with the latter.
Habit: It is a columnar cactus, forming clumps or cushions with densely arranged shoots sometime creeping.
Stems: 10-40 cm tall and 2,5 to 4 cm in diameter, upright cylindrical, yellowish-green to dark green.
Ribs: 7 to 16 low.
Areoles: Small 2-3 mm apart.
Radial spines: 10 or more, short, the young spines are yellowish but turns whitish rapidly.
Central spines: 3 to 4 (to 6) Yellowish to dark reddish turning whitish soon.
Flowers: Funnelform on the sides of the stems, 6-10 cm long, huge colourful bright orange-red, with long hairy tube and 9 green stigma lobes.

Notes: Taylor (1993) lists this variety as a synonym of Echinocereus ortegaeSN|21775]]SN|21775]].

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Edward F. Anderson: The Cactus Family. Timber Press, Portland (Oregon) 2001
2) 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
3) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006
4) Nigel P. Taylor “The Genus Echinocereus” Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 1985

Cultivation and Propagation: In culture it is without problems, easy to grow, very attractive and regularly shows its beautiful flowers, if provided with an adequate winter rest period. It is sensitive to over-watering (rot prone), and needs good drainage. Keep drier and cool in winter. Needs full sun. In the summer they need an airy location in bright sun; well watered when it's hot. To achieve the best spine density give these plants lots of sun. In the winter light, cool, and absolutely dry conditions. Very cold resistant above -12° C or less for short periods of time. In mild climate they grow well when planted freely outside in well-drained soil.
Propagation: Seeds (usually), it also can be grown from cuttings, as it can branch from the base.