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Mammillaria heyderi (Little nipple cactus)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Mammillaria heyderi Muehlenpfordt

Little nipple cactus

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

USDA Symbol: mahe2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Solitary, globular cactus, up to 4 inches in diameter with milky sap; stem solitary, noticeably sunken on top, wider than tall; axils initially woolly; flowers mostly cream, forming a circle around stem below the apex. The flowers are cream to salmon colored and the fruits bright red but quite small. Flowering Mar-Aug; fruiting Aug-Mar.

Mammillaria heyderi is a very short cactus that can be difficult to spot in the winter when it is nearly below ground level and may be partially covered in gravel. In the spring and summer, it is usually above surrounding ground and more visible. Mammillaria heyderi is found on dry hillsides in lower to middle elevations. Chihuahuan desert scrub, Tamaulipan thorn scrub, and Edwards Plateau, usually limestone and alluvial substrates. Light shade in summer to full sun. Hardy at least to 10° F.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Size Notes: 4 - 6 inches
Flower: Flowers 3/4 inch long
Fruit: Red
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Day-flowering

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM , OK , TX
Native Distribution: Also northern Mexico
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Conditions Comments: minimum temperature 50 F

Benefit

Use Medicinal: Pulp is cooked for relief of earache.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Deer Resistant: High

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

NPSOT - Fredericksburg Chapter - Fredericksburg, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1006 Collected 2011-03-29 in Crockett County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 1140 - 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 Mammillaria heyderi in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Mammillaria heyderi in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Mammillaria heyderi

Metadata

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

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