NIPPLE CACTUS
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| File Size: 127 KB |
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Coryphantha missouriensis (Sweet ) Britton & Rose
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| Lincoln County, Kansas |
| Perennial |
| Height: 1-4 inches |
| Family: Cactaceae - Cactus Family |
| Flowering Period: May, June |
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| Stems: | | Spherical, dark green, single or several in cluster, covered with nipple-like projections called "tubercles", 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, grooved on upper side, arranged in several spiral rows; round "areoles" at tubercle tips; central spines 0-4, to 1/2 inch long, often absent; radial spines 10-20, grayish; spines with clumps of minute barbed hairs at bases. | | Leaves: | | Absent. | | Inflorescences: | | 1 to several flowers on new growth of current season, at base of upper side of tubercles. | | Flowers: | | Funnel-shaped, 1 to 2 inches tall, about 1 inch wide; perianth parts petal-like, in several rows, greenish to pale yellowish, sometimes tinged pink below; tips sharply pointed; stamens numerous, anthers yellow; stigmas 2-5, short. | | Fruits: | | Berries, fleshy, nearly spherical, 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter, red when mature; seeds tiny, pitted, black. | | Habitat: | | Dry, rocky prairies, and shallow uplands, most abundant on limestone soils. | | Distribution: | | Central 3/5 of Kansas. | | Uses: | | Some Great Plains tribes utilized the ripe fruits as food. The Comanche were said to have used the spines as instruments to punish unfaithful wives. | | Comments: | | Succulent. |
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| Nipple cactus |  | | 124 KB | | Lincoln County, Kansas |
| | Nipple cactus |  | | 195 KB | | Lincoln County, Kansas |
| | Nipple cactus |  | | 119 KB | | Geary County, Kansas |
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