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

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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.

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Heyder Pincushion
Mammillaria heyderi

Size: H 3/4-2" (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 reddish brown with dark tips, 1/4-1/2" (.6-1.1 cm) long

Spine Clusters: each cluster has 1 short rigid outward-pointing central spine within a semicircle of 13-17 needle-like radial spines hugging the stem; lowest radials are longest and stoutest

Flower: small cream or light pink 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: February-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: desert scrub, grasslands and thorn scrub up to 4,600' (1,400 m); rocky limestone hills, washes, among grasses or under shrubs

Range: far western, southern and south central Texas; also a portion of the northwestern part of the state

Compare: Heyder looks like much like Little Pincushion (pg. 55), but they can be distinguished from each other by their radial spines. Little has 5-7 relatively stout radial spines, whereas Heyder has 13-17 needle-like radial spines.

Notes: A low, flat or round cactus with a stem that contracts in winter to just above ground level or sometimes below. Grows among grasses or hides under shrubs and is often overlooked until it blooms. Flowers open at midday, close at night and last for 3-4 days. 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 Little Pincushions are also called Cream Pincushion, being the only Texas 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.

Found in Texas, southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, southwestern Oklahoma and northeastern Mexico. Cold hardy and frequently cultivated, this is one of the easiest (and slowest) pincushion cacti to grow.

• Heyder Pincushion: 13-17 needle-like radial spines
• Little Pincushion: 5-7 stouter radial spines
• Little Pincushion: looks similar to Heyder