Coryphantha sulcata
(Nipple Cactus)
Coryphantha sulcata, Goodwater Trail, Lake Georgetown, Williamson Co. 1791
Coryphantha sulcata, Goodwater Trail, Lake Georgetown, Williamson Co. 1786
| Scientific Name | Coryphanta sulcata | USDA PLANTS Symbol | COSU7 |
| Common Name | Nipple Cactus, Finger Cactus, Pinapple Cactus | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 19839 |
| Family | Cactaceae (Cactus) | Wildflower Center Ref. | Click Here |
| Description | Habitat: Sandy to gravelly or clayey soils in grasslands and shrublands. Plant: Low-growing, branching cactus; stems 3 to 5 inches long (or tall) and about as wide, tightly clustered and partially buried; blue-green tubercles are conical and 1/3 to 3/4 inch tall inch with a fine longitudinal groove extending downward from areole. Spines: Areoles at apex of tubercles have 8 to 15 radial spines and 1 to 3 central spines all from 3/8 to 2/3-inch long; radial spines yellowish or pinkish, later gray to nearly white with dark reddish brown or black tips, central spines often streaked or speckled with black on one side. Inflorescence: One to several showy flowers atop plant, 2 to 3 inches across; tepals are pointed and mostly yellow and bright red near base; fillaments are rose–red above midpoint and strongly curved inward and paler below midpoint; anthers are pale yellow; 7 to 10 whitish or greenish-yellow stigma lobes. Bloom Period: April and May. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country" by Marshall Enquist, Flora of North America and Vascular Plants of Williamson County by A.C. Gibson |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024