Pincushion Cactus

Pincushion Cacti are round or cylindrical cacti with tiny hairlike prickles or spines at the top of each cone-like bump. There are over 400 different species of Pincushion Cacti, which are usually small (6-8 in) but can be up to 3 ft tall. There may be a single stem or a large cluster.

Pincushion Cacti usually flower shortly after it has rained. The flowers have daisy-like petals pointing upwards like a funnel. They are often bright pink but can also range from white to red and occasionally yellow. The fruit are typically small, red, and elongated like tiny peppers.

Pincushion Cacti grow well in hot, dry, sandy, or rocky places from southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to the southwestern United States.

Did you know? Sharp spines offer protection. Soft, dense spines shield the cactus from the hot sun.

See Also: Prickly Pear Cactus

Deserts are dry areas covered with sand or rocks and with very few plants. There is limited rainfall and it's usually very hot.

Grasslands are large open areas covered with grasses. They have very few trees or shrubs. This habitat includes prairies and tundra.