Pincushion cactus

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Pincushion cactus

Pincushion cactus perianth and anthers

Pincushion cactus

Pincushion cactus flowers and spines

Pincushion cactus

Pincushion cactus

Pincushion cactus

Pincushion cactus

Pincushion cactus

Pincushion cactus

Morphology

Stem

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

Inflorescence

1 to several flowers on new growth of current season, at base of upper side of tubercles.

Flower

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.

Fruit

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

Ecology

Habitat

West two thirds of Kansas.

Distribution

Dry, sandy or rocky prairies.

Additional Notes