BERBERIDACEAE -- Barberry Family - New Mexico Flores

Scientific Name:
Escobaria vivipara var. neomexicana
Size:
4 - 10 cm
CACTACEAE -- Cactus Family
Description:
Synonyms: Coryphantha vivipara,
Mammillaria vivipara.
Stems single or in clumps, spherical or ovoid, 4
- 10 cm tall, up to 6 cm in diameter, with
spirally arranged tubercles not forming ribs,
these grooved from the tip to the middle or base.
Older tubercles often become corky and
deciduous. Central spines 3 - 7, orange to
brown, divergent, stiff, straight. Radial spines
14 - 18, white, thin. Spines densely cover
stems. Flowers near tip of stem, up to 6 cm
long, up to 5 cm in diameter. Floral bracts
intergrade with sepals which transition to petals,
outer sepals fringed with hairs. Fruit not
breaking open, spineless, green, up to 2.5 cm
long and 1.5 cm in diameter.
172
Common Name:
Pincushion cactus, beehive cactus
Color:
Pink
Notes:
The genus Escobaria is named for two Mexican
botanists, Romulo Escobar and Numa Escobar.
The genus is closely related to two other genera,
Coryphantha and Mammillaria. This cactus has
been placed in all 3 genera. The controversy
continues. The species name vivipara translates
to “bearing live young”. The stems can form
large clumps with larger, older stems together
with smaller younger stems, hence the plant is
sometimes called hen-and-chicks. It flowers in
May and June between 5000 and 7500 ft.
New Mexico Native