Xerophyte

Central Spines

Usually this species has no central spines, but occasionally it produces central spines, either on single areoles of a plant only, but also on all areoles. The central spines are stout, sharp, hooked, bent downward like cat claws, yellowish and usually dark brown tipped, reddish-brown when young and 8-20 mm long. The frequency of occurrence of the single, strong and curved to hooked central spine varies very much. from one population to another. With the exception of the absence or existence of centrals, all the other characteristics are absolutely identical, namely size and form of tubercles, number, size and arrangement of radial spines, flowers, fruits and seeds. Furthermore this species is one of those Coryphantha which pass a purely radial-spined long youth stage in which they are already floriferous. Some of the plants after several years develop the central spines, giving the plant its sea urchin appearance.

Seeds

Smooth and yellow.

Description

Coryphantha compactaSN|1061]]SN|1061]] is a small, usually solitary species widespread over a wide territory in northwestern Mexico and therefore, very variable. It often shows only radial spines, but occasionally central appears.

Tubercles

Crowded, imbricate, in about 13 rows, 8-17 mm long and sulcate above.

Flowers

Yellow, to 2 cm long and in diameter.

Stem

Globose somewhat depressed, pale grey-green to deep green, (2-)4-5(-6) cm high, (5-)6-8(-9) cm broad.

Radial Spines

11-16, rigid, appressed, flattened against the stem surface and interwoven, white to yellow, 10-20 mm long.

Fruits

Oval.