WILDFLOWERS OF NEW MEXICO

With stems reaching 6-inches tall and 2 1/2-inches diameter, this cactus has both clump-forming with 3–50 stems and solitary-stem varieties. Note the rows of nipples on the stems have central spines radiating in all directions, the pink to lavender to white flowers around the apex have white stigma lobes and pale yellow anthers and pollen, and the fruit is red. In older plants the stem base loses its spines and resembles a corncob.

FLOWER: May–August. Clusters of 1–5+ flowers, each 1-inch wide (25 mm), crowd the stem apex. Numerous petal-like tepals pink to white, usually without a prominent dark midstripe, pointed tips with the outer tepals lined with hair-like fringe; stigma lobes white, anthers light yellow to white. Fruits red, oval, 1/2–1-inch (13–25 mm) long. Unlike many cacti, the flowers are open late afternoon until dark.

SPINES: Cylindric tubercles (nipples) to 1/2-inch long (12 mm) have 15–41 grayish-white radial spines 1/4–1/2-inch long (7–12 mm) that may obscure the upper stem, and 1–5 erect or radiating, straight central spines 3/8–3/4-inch long (10–15 mm) with pinkish-tan to reddish-black tips.

HABITAT: Sandy, gravelly soils; desert grasslands and scrub, oak-juniper woodlands.

ELEVATION: 4,800–5,600 feet.

RANGE: NM, TX.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Beehive Cactus, C. vivipara, has white to pink stigma lobes but with yellow anthers and green to dull red fruits.  The confusing Coryphantha complex now includes Escobaria species (Powell) and is distinguished from Mammallaria by having a grove down the nipple and flowers at the plant apex, not in a circle around the apex.

NM COUNTIES: Low-elevation, desert habitats: Dona Ana, Eddy, Luna, Otero.