WILDFLOWERS OF NEW MEXICO

With spherical to cylindrical, ribbed stems 2–7-inches tall by 1–4-inches diameter, this variable cactus has 2 different forms: var. intertextus is spherical with flat-lying radial spines while var. dasyacanthus is cylindrical with a dense covering of spreading spines. Yet both have the same white flower with showy red stigma lobes. Sometimes the cactus has a short stem between the root crown at ground level and the body.

FLOWER: February–April. Flowers 1-inch wide and long, crowded on new growth at stem apex; petal-like tepals silvery-white to pale-pink, stigma lobes red to pink. Fruit egg-shaped, 3/8-inch long (15 cm), green maturing reddish-tan with persistent floral parts on tip.

SPINES: Each areole has 13–25 interwoven radial spines and 4 central spines; var. intertextus has flat-lying radials to 3/4-inch long (20 mm) but the stem is clearly visible, the short perpendicular central spine is about 3/16-inch long (4 mm); the stem of var. dasyacanthus (i. e. shaggy spines) is mostly concealed with spreading, reddish-brown radial spines, the perpendicular central spine is 3/16–5/8-inch long (4–15 mm).

HABITAT: Sandy, gravelly igneous (rarely limestone) soils, grasslands; desert grasslands and scrub, foothills, pinyon-juniper woodlands.

ELEVATION: 4,000–5,800 feet.

RANGE: AZ, NM, TX.

SIMILAR SPECIES: The distinctive white tepals, red stigma lobes, small stem size, and early-season blooming period distinguish this cactus. Some authorities place this cactus in the Sclerocactus  genus.

NM COUNTIES: Central to sw quarter of NM in low-elevation, arid habitats: Bernalillo, Catron, Cibola, Dona Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Guadalupe, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, Sierra, Socorro, Torrance, Valencia.