Echinocereus dasyacanthus is a member of the Cactaceae family. It is one of about 2000 total species in this family. The cactus is known as Texas rainbow cactus because of the subtle rings or bands of contrasting colors along the stem of the plant.
Echinocereus dasyacanthus is a low growing cactusunbranched or branching from the base, forming loose clumps of fewer than 20 stiff branches in old age, with its stem completely obscured by a layer of spines that can vary in colour depending on growing conditions. On some individuals, each year's new spines make a distinct band around the plant. The result is a stem with alternating bands of colour, vaguely suggesting a rainbow and similar to, but not as bold as, the Arizona Rainbow Cactus (Echinocereus rigidissimus). It is quite variable.