Its range includes most of South Texas, and is commonly found along the Nueces River and the lower Rio Grande.

[3] Echinocereus berlandieri grows with many shoots and forms groups up to 1 meter in diameter.

The dark green to somewhat purple-green, cylindrical shoots that taper towards their base are prostrate or have upright tips.

The one to three strong, outward-facing, yellowish to dark brown central spines are 2.5 to 5 cm (0.98 to 1.97 in) long.

The broadly funnel-shaped flowers are pink to reddish purple and appear below the tips of the shoots.