Origin and Habitat: Mexico (Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Zacatecas, Jalisco, San Luis Potosi, and possibly Aguascalientes)
Habitat and Ecology: This cactus grows in semi-desert, on both volcanic and calcareous soil. The species has an extensive range with an estimated population size of more than 1,000,000 individuals and is relatively stable, however illegal collecting threatens some subpopulations. This cactus is used as an ornamental, and is normally found elsewhere as propagated plants.

• Stenocactus coptonogonus (Lem.) A.Berger
• Brittonrosea coptonogona (Lem.) Speg.
• Echinocactus coptonogonus Lem.
• Echinofossulocactus coptonogonus (Lem.) Lawr. in Loudon
• Efossus coptonogonus (Lem.) Orcutt
• Ferocactus coptonogonus (Lem.) N.P.Taylor

Description: Stenocactus coptonogonusSN|6257]]SN|6257]] (Echinofossulocactus coptonogonusSN|6262]]SN|6262]]) is a globular or a little depressed cactus, 7 to 10 cm high. Unlike most of the stenocacti that have numerous thin wavy ribs this species has few ribs that are thick at base, triangular in cross-section and not undulated. The flowers are white with violet midveins, to 3 cm long and 4 cm in diameter.
Stem: Solitary or perhaps cespitose, globular or a little depressed, grey to glaucous-green, 5-10 cm tall, 7-15 (or more) cm wide.
Ribs: 10 to 15, stout, thick at base, 1.5 cm high, 5 mm or more in width, triangular in cross-section, acute, notched, with transverse grooves at the areoles and not undulated.
Areoles: 2 cm apart, elongated above the spines into the flower-bearing portion, sometimes with nectar glands, when young abundantly woolly, but in age naked.
Spines: 3 to 5 (rarely to 7) spines, stout, a little incurved, cream-white or greyish white (red when young). Upper spines pointing vertically upward, broad, flattened, to 35(-50) mm long. Lateral pair pointing vertically upward, tetragonal. Lowermost pair(-s), if present, short, slender, nearly round in cross section.
Flowers: 3 cm long, 4 cm broad, pink-magenta and white, in the plant apex. Inner perianth-segments numerous, linear-oblong, acute, purple or violet with white margins. Floral tube short. Ovary brownish violet, bearing thin scales.
Blooming season: Spring.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Echinofossulocactus coptonogonus (Lemaire) Lawrence. In: N. L. Britton, J. N. Rose: "The Cactaceae. Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family." volume 3. Washington 1922
2) Edward F. Anderson “The Cactus Family” Timber Press, 2001
3) Schumann & CAA, “Blühende Kakteen” 1: t. 28, 1904
4) Oudshoorn. “126 Cacti & Succulents in Colour”. 66, 1977
5) 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
6) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. “The New Cactus Lexicon” dh books, 2006
4) Fitz Maurice, B, Sánchez , E., Fitz Maurice, W.A. & Guadalupe Martínez, J. 2013. Stenocactus coptonogonus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 02 November 2014.
5) Echinofossulocactus coptonogonus (Lem.) Lawr. In: Curt Backeberg: "Die Cactaceae: Handbuch der Kakteenkunde." Volume 4. 2nd edit. 1984
7) Echinofossulocactus coptonogonus (Lem.) Lawr. In: Walther Haage: "Kakteen von A bis Z." 3rd edition Quelle & Meyer, Heidelberg 1986
8) Berger, Alwin, 1929 "Kakteen. Anleitung zur Kultur und Kenntnis der wichtigsten eingeführten Arten" Part of a series, 'Illustrierte Handbücher sukkulenter Pflanzen.'
9) Echinofossulocactus coptonogonus (Lem.) Lawr. In: Doweld & Greuter (2001:879-885) in Taxon 50:3

Cultivation and Propagation: Small growing and easy to to care and flower. Because of it’s small size makes a great potted plant specimen, great for beginning collectors. It needs regular cacti soil with good drainage. Exposure: need some direct sun but is tolerant and prefers light shade during the hot Summer months, allow to dry between watering. Watering should be curtailed during the winter months. Frost Tolerance -10°C.
Propagation: Seeds.