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Pediocactus bradyi
Pediocactus bradyi L.D. Benson
Brady's Hedgehog Cactus, Brady's Pincushion Cactus
Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: PEBR2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
The tiny stems of Brady's pincushion cactus are at most 2 inches across, and may be single or (less often) form clusters of up to 12. Stems are spherical in shape but flattened and shrunken at some times of year, when they barely rise above the surrounding soil and are hard to spot even when close up. The very short, white or yellowish spines are (usually) all radial, numbering between 13 and 16, and angled back towards the stem surface; occasionally 1 or 2 darker-colored central spines might be present. The pale yellow flowers and green/brown fruit are also small, about one inch and half an inch in diameter respectively.
The plant grows in a 25 mile long strip of land either side of the Colorado River (Marble Canyon) in north Arizona, south of Lees Ferry. It is endangered, and monitoring studies suggest that populations are declining.
Description provided courtesy of The American Southwest.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Cactus/Succulent
Size Notes: Globular plants 1 1/3-2½in long and 1-2in wide.
Flower: White or pale yellow, with a yellow interior and brownish stripes underneath.
Fruit: Small green/brown fruit.
Size Class: 0-1 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , YellowBloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Diurnal.
Distribution
USA: AZ , CONative Distribution: Marble Canyon, north Arizona, in particular around Jackass Creek and Badger Canyon.
Native Habitat: Kaibab limestone ledges or plateaus.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Conditions Comments: Minimum temperature 50F.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Threatened & Endangered Status
USFWS Species Profile: Q1ZXStatus:Additional resources
USDA: Find Pediocactus bradyi in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Pediocactus bradyi in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pediocactus bradyi
Metadata
Record Modified: 2013-07-01Research By: TWC Staff