Mammillaria heyderi

Muehlenpf.

Little nipple cactus

Cactaceae Edible: Fruit 5,222 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-sa

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Mammillaria heyderi (commonly known as the Little Nipple cactus) is a species of pincushion cactus in the tribe Cacteae. It is endemic to Sonora and Chihuahua in Mexico and New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and Oklahoma in the United States. Mammillaria heyderi typically grows no more than 1.5 inches above ground and can be hard to spot in winter, when it is nearly below ground level. It is found on dry hillsides and semidesert in lower to middle elevations and is characterized by its covering of short stems growing up to around 8mm high and 4-5mm wide, with up to around 15 spines extending in all directions from the tip of each stem. It is extremely drought resistant and hardy to at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and can thrive in different types of dry terrain.

Description

A cactus, It has a rounded taproot and only just appears above the soil. The stems are top shaped and have a flat top. The fruit is bright red.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The fruit is edible.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant.

Where It Grows

Mexico, North America, USA,

Synonyms

Mammillaria sororia Meinsh.Mammillaria waltheri Boed.

Also Known As

Bizbaga de chilitos

References (2)

Piedra-Malagón, E. M. et al, 2022, Edible native plants of the Gulf of Mexico Province. Biodiversity Data Journal 10: e80565 p 15
Segura, S. et al, 2018, The edible fruit species in Mexico. Genet Resour Crop Evol (2018) 65:1767–1793