Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses

PINCUSHION CACTUS

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Coryphantha vivipara (Nutt. ) Britton & Rose

Russell County, Kansas

Perennial succulent

Height: 1.5-3 inches

Family: Cactaceae - Cactus Family

Flowering Period: May, June, July, August

Stems:

1 to several, more or less spherical, dark green, to 2.5 inches in diameter, covered with spirally arranged projections called "tubercles"; tubercles elliptical, grooved on upper side; areoles at tubercle tips, white-woolly when young; central spines 3-4 or occasionally more, 1/3 to 3/4 inch long, reddish brown, 1 bent downward, others ascending; radial spines 12-20, 1/3 to 1/2 inch long, white with brown tips.

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 1.5 inches tall, 1.5 to 2 inches across; perianth parts numerous, petal-like, in several rows; outer parts greenish or brownish; inner parts pink to reddish purple; tips sharply pointed; stamens numerous, anthers bright orange.

Fruits:

Berries, fleshy, oblong to club-shaped, 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, green when mature; seeds tiny, pitted, yellowish brown.

Habitat:

West two thirds of Kansas.

Distribution:

Dry, sandy or rocky prairies.

Comments:

Pincushion cactus occurs from Texas to Canada. It exhibits good resistance to freeze damage.

Pincushion cactus flowers and spines