Nipple cactus
Coryphantha vivipara

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A small cactus. It is round or like a cylinder. It can be 13 cm high. The stems are 6 cm wide. It produces offsets to form clusters. There are about 16 spines which radiate out. There are 1-6 brown spines in the centre. They are all about 2 cm long. The flowers are pink or pale reddish-purple. They are 4 cm across. The fruit are berry like and red.

There are about 45 Coryphantha species. Fruit are used in medicine.

Where it is found

It needs bright light. It needs a temperature above 7°C to grow. Some varieties can stand temperatures down to -23°C, especially under snow.

Countries/locations it is found in

Canada, Central America, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are dried in the sun then eaten like dried currants.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Escobaria vivipara (Nutt.) Buxb.;