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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.