Coryphantha tuberculosa var. tuberculosa
(Cob Cactus)
Coryphantha tuberculosa var. tuberculosa, Rio Grande Village-Hot Springs Trail, Big Bend National Park 5485
Coryphantha tuberculosa var. tuberculosa, Rio Grande Village-Hot Springs Trail, Big Bend National Park 5462
Coryphantha tuberculosa var. tuberculosa, Rio Grande Village-Hot Springs Trail, Big Bend National Park 3227
| Scientific Name | Coryphantha tuberculosa var. tuberculosa (Escobaria tuberculosa, Mammillaria tuberculosa) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | N/A |
| Common Name | Cob Cactus, White Column Foxtail Cactus | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 912408 |
| Family | Cactaceae (Cactus) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Limestone mountainsides, ridges and outcrops; 1600 to 5900 feet elevation. Plant: Clumps of branched cylindric stems; older, lower portion without spines and resembling pineapple or a corncob. Pads & Spines: Cylindric stems 2 to 6 inches long with tubercles; 1 to 3 or more central spines per areole, 1/2 to 3/4-inch long, second (lower) of two spines is always shorter than other (upper); 17 to 25 light gray radial spines 1/2-inch or less long; tips of larfer spines gray, tan or darker brown. Inflorescence: Funnel-shaped flowers at tops of stems, 3/4 to 1-5/8 inches across with pale pink to nearly white tepals curving back; white stigma lobes and white or pale yellow anthers (shorter than stigma); flowers open mid-late afternoon and remain open until after dusk. Bloom Period: April to August, sometimes again after rains. Fruit: Oval-shaped, 3/8 to 1 inch long and 1/4-inch or less across, dull to bright red at maturity, greenish before. References: "Little Big Bend" by Roy Morey, "Cacti of Texas" by Powell, Weedin and Powell and Flora of North America. Note: Plant in photos was found by chance at the overlook on the Rio Grande Village-Hot Springs Trail in late October at dusk. |
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