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Epithelantha micromeris (Pingpong ball cactus)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Epithelantha micromeris (Engelm.) A. Weber

Pingpong ball cactus, Button Cactus

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Synonyms: Mammilaria micromeris

USDA Symbol: EPMI2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Often clumping, globose stems up to 1 inch in diameter (2.5 cm), occasionally more; small tubercles, 1 mm long; small areoles, slightly woolly when young; 20 or more white spines, 2 mm long, longer on the top. The Button Cactus has 0.2 inch long (5 mm), 0.16 inch wide (4 mm) pale pink flowers that appear in May-June at the apex of the plant. They only partly open, as they barely stick out above the wool an spines at the top of the plant. They are followed by thin red fruit, 0.3 to 0.5 inch long

This cactus grows best in full sun in well draining soil, but it will tolerate light shade.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Size Notes: 0-2 inches.
Flower Size: About ½in across

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Red , Pink
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Diurnal

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM , TX
Native Distribution: Also Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo Leon)
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Conditions Comments: Minimum temperature 50 F.

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds , Clump Division
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From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Cacti (1991) Clive Innes and Charles Glass

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Epithelantha micromeris in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Epithelantha micromeris in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Epithelantha micromeris

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-10-16
Research By: TWC Staff

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