Echinocereus metornii
(Syn:  Echinocereus chisoensis)
 

Echinocereus metorni is a tiny gem of Sierra Mojada (Big Bend Texas).
The flowers are quite large for such a small plant.
 

NOTE: The classification and the relationship of the plant belonging to the E. chisoensis group (Echinocereus fobeanus, Echinocereus metornii and Echinocereus chisoensis) is still controversial, all this species are considered synonyms of E. chisoensis, but there is quite a variation in the habitus (spination and shape of the plant, form of flower bud and receptacle tube, color-zonation in the flower, size of nectar chamber, form of fruit chamber and in the size, form and surface structure of the seed.) The morphological variation are also reconfirmed by chemical and genetic test.
Therefore synonymizations seems to be the result of invalid interpretations of the relationship.
The E. chisoensis type has stems that are not constricted annually. The flowers are 6 cm long with the inner perianth segments  being deep red.
The E. fobeanus type often has annually constricted stems. The flowers can get up to 9cm long with the base of the inner perianth segment being light green or tan.

Cultivation: Rot easily it is sensitive to overwatering (rot prone) needs a very good drainage to avoid rotting, Keep drier and cool in winter. Need full sun. Cold resistant  above approx - 4C or less for short periods of time.

Propagation: Cutting as it branches freely from the base; Also can be grown from seeds.

Scientific name:  Echinocereus metornii G. Frank,
Published in: Kakt. And. Sukk., 41 (10): 215, 1990

Origin:  USA, Texas, Big Bend, Sierra Mojada.

• Echinocereus fobeanus Oehme
  Published in: Beitr. Sukkulentenk. u. -pflege, 1940, 49; cf. Gray Herb. Card Cat., 1940
• Echinocereus fobeanus ssp. metornii (G. Frank) W. Blum & Mich. Lange  -  Published in: Echinocereus 303, 1998
• Echinocereus chisoensis W.T.Marshall
• Echinocereus reichenbachii var. chisosensis

The buds are subapical.