The E. dasyacanthus received its specific epithet from the two Greek words dasys and akantha, which mean "shaggy" and "thorns" respectively.

[2] Echinocereus dasyacanthus plants are usually found with a single stem or 2–3 basal branches.

In the Trans-Pecos region of Texas the flowers are usually bright yellow with a green throat.

The stamens of the flowers have filaments resulting in the floral throat being filled with a funnel of yellow anthers.

It occurs in every county of Texas's Trans-Pecos region except for Val Verde.

Texas rainbow cactus can also be spotted as far south as Chihuahua, and Coahuila, Mexico.

[4] The specific epithet "dasyacanthus" comes from the Greek words “δασύς” (dasys), meaning “dense,” “rough,” or “shaggy,” and “άκανθα” (akantha), meaning “thorn.”[5] Echinocereus dasyacanthus is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for use in desert native plant natural landscaping, or as a house plant and in a greenhouse.

As the Texas Rainbow cactus is a smaller cacti species, it can be easier to care for.