Cactus of Arizona Field Guide (Cacti Identification Guides) - Softcover

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Nora Bowers is a writer and photographer. A member of the North American Nature Photography Association, Nora’s credits include Birder’s World Magazine, as well as many books and calendars. She is coauthor of field guides for several states. Rick Bowers is a photographer, naturalist, and writer. He has been photographing nature for more than 35 years. Rick’s photo credits span the gamut, from National Geographic to local publications. He is coauthor of field guides for several states. Stan Tekiela is a naturalist, wildlife photographer, and writer and is the originator of the popular state-specific field guide series. Stan has authored more than 190 educational books, including field guides, quick guides, nature books, children’s books, playing cards and more, presenting many species of animals and plants. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural History from the University of Minnesota and as an active professional naturalist for more than 30 years, Stan studies and photographs wildlife throughout the United States and Canada. He has received various national and regional awards for his books and photographs. Also a well-known columnist and radio personality, his syndicated column appears in more than 25 newspapers, and his wildlife programs are broadcast on a number of Midwest radio stations. Stan can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.

Auszug. © Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

Heyder Pincushion
Mammillaria heyderi

Size: H 1/4-1" (.6-2.5 cm); W 3-6" (7.5-15 cm)

Shape: low-growing, disk-shaped cactus with a flat top

Stem: single stem covered with conical green bumps (tubercles), each topped with a cluster of spines; stem has a milky white sap

Spines: grayish white or pinkish brown with dark tips, 1/5-7/10" (.5-1.8 cm) long

Spine Clusters: 10-22 spines per cluster; each cluster has 1 short rigid outward-pointing central spine within a semicircle of needle-like radial spines hugging the stem; lowest radials are longest

Flower: small cream or pinkish blossoms in a ring at the top of stem; each flower, 1-1 1/2" (2.5-4 cm) wide, has a wide brownish green or pink stripe on the petals and a pink and green center

Blooming: March-April

Fruit: conical green pod, 1/2-1 3/8" (1-3.5 cm) long, with fleshy walls and tiny reddish brown seeds, ripens 6 months to a year after blooming, elongating into a cylindrical red pod

Zone Habitat: higher desert scrub and grasslands from 3,500-6,000' (1,065-1,830 m); rocky limestone hills, washes, among grasses or under shrubs

Range: southeastern corner of Arizona, from the junction of Highway 83 and Interstate 10 (east of Tucson) northeast to the New Mexico border through Duncan and south to the Mexico border through Bisbee

Compare: Heyder looks like MacDougal Pincushion (pg. 27) when not in bloom, but is easily identified when it is flowering. Heyder has cream-to-pink flowers, unlike the yellow flowers of MacDougal. MacDougal has a full circle of radial spines, whereas Heyder has a semicircle of radial spines.

Notes: A low, flat cactus with a stem that shrinks in winter to just above ground level or sometimes below. Grows among grasses or hides under shrubs and is often overlooked until it blooms. Some cactus lovers searching for a glimpse of this interesting plant have nearly walked on it while trying to find it. Ripe fruit, often present with the pale flowers, is the product of blooms from the previous year.

Both Heyder and MacDougal Pincushions are also called Cream Pincushion, being the only Arizona cacti that have a milky sap. Pincushions with this latex are sold in the drug stalls of Mexico and used as folk remedies. Tarahumara Indians of Mexico used this sap for headaches, ear problems and more.

Uncommon in Arizona. Also found in southern New Mexico, Texas, southwestern Oklahoma and northeastern Mexico. Easily seen in Tombstone’s historic Boot Hill Cemetery, the final resting place of outlaws killed in the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Cold hardy and frequently cultivated, this is one of the easiest (and slowest) pincushion cacti to grow.

• Heyder Pincushion: cream-to-pink flowers
• MacDougal Pincushion: yellow flowers
• MacDougal Pincushion: radial spines form a full circle