Xerophyte

Central Spines

This species lacks central spines.

Seeds

1.5 mm long and 1 to 1.2 mm wide teardrop-shaped with low nearly flat tubercles, hilum sublateral and with a whitish strophiole.

Description

Morphology (Identifying Characteristics)

Similar Species

Could be confused with some species of Escobaria, but it differs in having no groove on tubercles, ovary and fruit with scales, fruit dehiscent, and seeds larger and not pitted. Closely related to Pediocactus simpsoniiSN|19699]]SN|19699]], but it is separable by recurved appressed radial spines with no central spines; some juveniles of P. simpsonii lack central spines and are nearly identical.

Tubercles

Not grooved.

Flowers

Funnel-shaped 1-3.5 cm long by 1-2.5 cm in diameter, fragrant, borne from previous years areoles near apex of plant, pink, , tepals white to magenta, usually pink, stigmata yellowish or pale green, ovary with few tiny papery scales.

Blooming Season

Early in spring (April or May). Flowers are produced when plants reach 3 or 4 years of age and last only 2 to 3 days and are open for approximately 3 hours in mid-morning and early afternoon. Flower buds are set in the fall after a period of summer dormancy and remain unopened through the winter.

Stem

Globular to short cylindrical, 3.5-5,5 cm tall, 2.5-3 cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

Smooth, relatively hard, pubescent, mostly 18-26 per areole, somewhat pectinate, radiating from areole and appressed to the plant reddish tan, pink, or white, 1-1.5 mm and darkest at tip.

Fruits

Flat, barrel-shaped, fleshy, not juicy, on top and approximately 4 mm long. Most plants produce 2 or 3 fruits. Fruits are green-tannish, drying, dehiscent by circumscissile split at top and one or more vertical splits. Fruits are produced from late May to early June and dehisce in mid or late June and on average contain 10 to 12 seeds.

Areoles

Circular or slightly elongate, At first woolly but become smooth with age.