Pincushion cactus
Mammillaria grahamii

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. Plants are pale green and 15 cm high. They are 3.5-4.5 cm across. They usually occur in clusters. They have spirally arranged overlapping warts. The spine spots carry 18-30 white spines which radiate out. They are 1.2 cm long. There are 1-3 spines in the centre are almost black and 1.8 cm long. One of these is hooked. Several flowers appear. These come from the axils of the previous year's growth. The flowers are rose pink. They are 2.5 cm long by 2.8 cm wide.

There are about 250-350 Mammillaria species. More than 100 have fruit used as human food.

Where it is found

It needs full sunlight. It needs a temperature above 10°C.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The pulp of the fruit is eaten raw.

It is eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Arizona fishhook cactus, Black-spined pincushion, Fishhook cactus, Graham's fishhook cactus, Graham's nipple cactus, Lizard catcher, Miller's pincushion, Olive's pincushion, Sunset cactus

Synonyms

Chilita grahamii (Engel.) Orcutt; Mammillaria microcarpa subsp. grahamii (Engel.) Mottram; Mammillaria microcarpa Engel.; Chilita microcarpa (Engel.) Orcutt; Ebnerella microcarpa (Engel.) Buzbaum; Mammillaria oliviae Orcutt; Chilita oliviae (Orcutt) Orcutt; Ebnerella oliviae (Orcutt) Buxbaum; Neomammillaria milleri Britton & Rose; Chilita milleri (Briton & Rose) Orcutt; Mammillaria milleri (Britton & Rose) Boedeker;