Echinocereus triglochidiatus

This taxon is found on a variety of sites within a wide elevational range and habitat includes rocky or grassy hillsides, ledges, and canyons; mostly on igneous rocks, sometimes limestone; in desert, and woodland. Variety melanocanthus occurs on rocky or grassy hillsides, ledges, and canyons, mostly on igneous rocks at 1050-2400 (2900) m (Benson, 1982). Var. mojavensis is found on rocky ledges or steep canyon slopes and is most abundant in the Mojave desert where it occupies all but the lowest and hottest desert areas of the southwestern United States (Ingram, 2008). Var. arizonicus- often growing among granitic boulders in mountainous woodlands and chaparral and elevation ranges from about 3,500 to 4,700 feet (1,050-1,410 m). Var. gurneyi- on rocky hillsides in granitic or limestone soils in deserts and elevation ranges from 4,000 to 5,000 feet (1,200-1,500 m). Var. melanacanthus- on rocky or grassy hillsides, ledges, and canyons; mostly on igneous rock and elevation ranges from 3,500 to 9,000 feet (1,050-2,900 m). Var. mojavensis- on rocky hillsides and canyons in deserts and in woodlands above and elevation ranges from 3,500 to 10,000 feet (1,050-3,000 m). Var. neomexicanus- on soils of igneous origin in woodlands and grasslands and elevation ranges from 4,500 to 7,000 feet (1,350-2100 m). Var. paucispinus- on rocky igneous or limestone soils in deserts or grasslands and elevation ranges from 500 to 1,000 feet (150-300 m). Var. triglochidiatus- on rocky or gravelly soils on ridges, hills, and canyons in woodlands and elevation ranges 4,350 to 6,900 feet (1,300-2,070 m) (Matthews, 1994).

While there is a paucity of species-specific information on seed dispersal, it is known within the genus of Echinocereus that mammals do eat and disperse their seeds. Ringtails, and gray foxes are known to eat the fruits of cacti species in Echinocereus (Willson 1993).