Origin and Habitat: Mexico, Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains at over 2200 m elevation. TL: Mexico, Nuevo Leon, north of Ascencion near San Juanito, Glass & Foster 3902, 1 Mar. 1972 (POM).
Habitat: This high mountain cactus is found growing in the semi-shade of rocks and pines.

• Echinocereus knippelianus var. kruegeri Glass & R.A.Foster
• Echinocereus knippelianus subs. kruegeri (Glass & R.A.Foster) W.Blum & Mich.Lange

• Echinocereus knippelianus Liebner
• Cereus knippelianus Orcutt
• Echinocereus inermis Haage jr. ex Hirscht
• Echinocereus knippelianus subs. kaplani Halda & Sladk.
• Echinocereus knippelianus var. kruegeri Glass & R.A.Foster
• Echinocereus knippelianus subs. kruegeri (Glass & R.A.Foster) W.Blum & Mich.Lange
• Echinocereus knippelianus var. reyesii A.B.Lau
• Echinocereus knippelianus subs. reyesii (A.B.Lau) W.Blum & Mich.Lange in W.Blum et al.
• Echinocereus liebnerianus Carp

Description: Solitary or slowly clumping cacti.
Stem: Plump, soft, flattened or globose , dark green with slightly lighter ridges, up to 10 cm tall, 8 cm in diameter.
Ribs: 5 to 7 ribs, either tuberculate or slightly wavy, separated by broad furrows.
Areoles: Small with whitish felt, 5 mm inches apart.
Spines: Nearly spineless, with 1 to 3 thin yellow spines, 3 to 15 mm long.
Flowers: Pink or white funnel-shaped flowers, 2.5-4 cm long, up to 6 cm in diameter, appearance in spring and summer. Flowers push through the body from the crown.
Fruits: Green berries near the stem tip
Roots: Thick tuberous root that pulls the plant below ground to avoid the hot sun.

Cultivation and Propagation: In culture Echinocereus knippellianus is without problems and regularly shows its pink flowers, if we provide an adequate winter rest period. It is sensitive to over-watering (rot prone), and needs good drainage. Fertilize with half- strength liquid fertilizer in summer. Keep drier and cool in winter. Needs full sun. Very cold resistant, hardy to -12° C or less for short periods of time.
Propagation: Seeds or cutting (if available)