Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Escobaria vivipara (Nuttall) F. Buxbaum
(Pincushion, Spinystar)

Family: Cactaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Coryphantha vivipara (Nuttall) Britton & Rose
Escobaria vivipara (Nuttall) F. Buxbaum var. arizonica (Engelmann) D.R. Hunt
Escobaria vivipara (Nuttall) F. Buxbaum var. bisbeeana (Orcutt) D.R. Hunt
Escobaria vivipara (Nuttall) F. Buxbaum var. neomexicana (Engelmann) F. Buxbaum
Escobaria vivipara (Nuttall) F. Buxbaum var. radiosa (Engelmann) D.R. Hunt
Coryphantha arizonica (Engelmann) Britton & Rose
Coryphantha bisbeeana Orcutt
Coryphantha vivipara (Nuttall) Britton & Rose var. arizonica (Engelmann) W.T. Marshall
Coryphantha vivipara (Nuttall) Britton & Rose var. bisbeeana (Orcutt) L. Benson
Coryphantha vivipara (Nuttall) Britton & Rose var. radiosa (Engelmann) Backeberg
Mammillaria arizonica Engelmann
Mammillaria neomexicana Engelmann
Mammillaria radiosa Engelmann
Mammillaria vivipara (Nuttall) Haworth var. neomexicana (Engelmann) Engelmann
Mammillaria vivipara (Nuttall) Haworth

Escobaria vivipara is one of the most common cacti found in the Gila National Forest, at both lower and middle elevations. It has bright pink to pink-purple flowers with numerous yellow stamens. The fruit is a small globose green berry that turns purplish as it matures. It contains numerous small black seeds.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Escobaria vivipara, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, June 4, 2005



Escobaria vivipara, in bloom, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., WD Ranch Road, May 30, 2007



Escobaria vivipara, in bloom, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Knight Peak, May 30, 2007



Escobaria, monstrose form, photo Russ Kleinman & Don Perkins, Silver City Range, near 80 Mountain & FR 506, May 8, 2010


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