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Mammillaria grahamii (Graham's nipple cactus)
Smith, R.W.

Mammillaria grahamii

Mammillaria grahamii Engelm.

Graham's Nipple Cactus, Arizona Fishhook Cactus

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Synonym(s): Mammillaria grahamii var. grahamii, Mammillaria grahamii var. oliviae, Mammillaria microcarpa, Mammillaria microcarpa var. auricarpa, Mammillaria milleri, Mammillaria oliviae

USDA Symbol: MAGR9

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A low, cylindrical cactus with 1 or several stems and many hooked spines; flowers pink or lavender.

The genus name refers to the projections on the stems, which resemble mammary glands. Similar species of Mammillaria and Coryphantha are distinguished by the position of the flower relative to the cluster of spines. In Coryphantha older projections have a groove on the upper side. Both genera have some species with hooked spines. The wild-plant enthusiast who wishes to find reference to Graham's Nipple Cactus in more technical literature must check under two more scientific names: the long-used M. microcarpa and the recently used M. milleri. The synonymy reflects historical problems in nomenclature and the difficulty of obtaining a satisfactory classification, problems that are very common in the Cactaceae.

 

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall.
Fruit: Long, thin, red fruits.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Green
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Light pink edges with darker pink centers and green stigmas.

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NM , TX
Native Distribution: Southeastern California east to western Texas and south to northern Mexico.
Native Habitat: Dry, gravelly places in deserts and arid grasslands.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Webref 15 - The American Southwest (1994) John Crossley

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-17
Research By: TWC Staff

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