This small clustering hedgehog cactus is native to southern Utah and neighboring Colorado. It gets to only a few inches in height and about a little more across. Because of its small size, it makes a great potted collection plant, but also a very good subject for a rock garden planting. E. triglochidiatus v. inermis is very cold tolerant, taking temperatures down to at least zero degrees Fahrenheit. The varietal name ‘inermis’ means unarmed (referring to the lack of spines), which as you can see in the close-ups is not entirely true, but almost, especially when compared to the other varieties. The plant pictured here is in a 5 inch diameter clay pot and the main stem is an inch and a half across.  Note the typical ‘breaking through’ the stem of the flower bud that is characteristic of flower buds in the genus Echinocereus.