Origin and Habitat: Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)

• Echinocereus rigidissimus subs. rubispinus f. albiflorus hort.
• Echinocereus rigidissimus var. albiflorus hort.

• Echinocereus rigidissimus (Engelm.) Rose
• Cereus pectinatus var. rigidissimus Engelm.
• Echinocereus dasyacanthus var. rigidissimus (Engelm.) W.T.Marshall
• Echinocereus pectinatus var. rigidissimus (Engelm.) Rümpler in C.F.Först.
• Echinocereus pectinatus var. robustus
• Echinocereus rigidissimus f. cristata hort.

• Echinocereus rigidissimus subs. rubispinus (G.Frank & A.B.Lau) N.P.Taylor
• Echinocereus pectinatus var. rubispinus G.Frank & A.B.Lau
• Echinocereus rigidissimus var. rubispinus (G.Frank & A.B.Lau) N.P.Taylor
• Echinocereus rigidissimus subs. rubispinus f. albiflorus hort.
• Echinocereus rigidissimus var. albiflorus hort.

Description: Echinocereus rigidissimusSN|21787]]SN|8509]] subs. rubispinus is one of the local form of Echinocereus rigidissimusSN|8509]]SN|8509]]. It distinguishes for the very short dusty red-purple spines (not pink and white) and dull purple-red (not green) stigma lobes. It is also up to 50% smaller in all its parts. The Echinocereus rigidissimus subs. rubispinus f. albiflorusSN|8509]]SN|21787]] is a rare selected strain or cultivar with white flowers (not magenta red) and pale creamy spines. Its blossoms are large and showy in comparison with the small size of the stem.
Habit: It is a small columnar cactus that when mature will form a clump about to 60 cm wide by 25 cm tall.
Stems: Erect, short cylindrical, only get about 7cm thick.
Radial spines: 30-35 pectinate per areole and 6-10 mm in length creamy-white to pale straw-yellow and does not turn grey.
Flowers: Huge 6-10 cm wide. Beautiful white. Blooms in ring on the crown of the stem in spring. The only downside is the flowers leave an unsightly scar when they drop off.
Fruits: Globose, greenish or dark purplish brownish very spiny, 3 cm in diameter, pulp white. Fruiting 3 months after flowering

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) 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
2) David Hunt, Nigel Taylor “The New Cactus Lexicon” DH Books, 2006
3) Edward F. Anderson “The Cactus Family” Timber Press, 2001
4) Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” Volume 3, 1922
5) Paul S Martin, Davis Yetman, Mark Fishbein, Phil Jenkins, Thomas R. van Devender, & Rebecca K. Wilson "Gentry's Río Mayo Plants: The Tropical Deciduous Forest & Environs of Northwest Mexico" University of Arizona Press, 1998
6) Natt Noyes Dodge, Jeanne R. Janish "Flowers of the Southwest Deserts" Western National Parks Association, 01/gen/1985

Cultivation and Propagation: Echinocereus rigidissimus subs. rubispinus f. albiflorusSN|21787]]SN|21787]] is not the easiest cactus to grow, but when grown well it is very attractive. Rot easily it is sensitive to overwatering (rot prone), so perfect soil drainage is a must.
Soil: It prefer a neutral to slightly acidic compost with plenty of extra grit. Watering: Best if watered with rain water and given an occasional tonic of sequestrated iron.
Exposition: In the summer they need an airy location in bright sun; well watered when it's hot. To achieve the best spine colours give these plants lots of sun. In the winter light, cool, and absolutely dry conditions.
Hardiness: Very cold resistant above approx -12° C or less for short periods of time. In mild climate it may grow well when planted freely outside in well-drained soil.
Propagation: Seeds.