Clover'S Fishhook Cactus

sclerocactus cloverae

Clover's Fishhook Cactus (Sclerocactus cloverae) is a small, striking cactus native to the arid badlands and rocky clay hillsides of the southwestern United States, primarily northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Named in honor of the pioneering American botanist Elzada Clover, this species is highly valued for its beautiful, funnel-shaped pink to purple blossoms and its intricate, defensive armor of hooked spines. It thrives in harsh, desolate environments where other plants struggle, playing a crucial role in the local desert ecosystem by providing food and nectar to native wildlife.

Habitat: Found in arid badlands, sagebrush communities, and rocky clay hillsides of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.

Appearance

This cactus features a solitary, egg-shaped to cylindrical stem that grows up to 25 cm tall, covered in prominent wavy ribs. Its most distinctive feature is its dense array of spines, including central spines that are sharply hooked like fishhooks, ranging in color from straw-yellow to dark reddish-brown. In late spring, vibrant pink-to-purple flowers bloom at the very top of the stem, opening fully under direct sunlight.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCactaceaeGenusSclerocactus

Photo: Bobby McCabeCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalistView original ↗

Clover'S Fishhook Cactus

Interesting facts

It was named in honor of Elzada Clover, who was the first female botanist to successfully raft the Grand Canyon to collect plant specimens.

Its brilliant pink flowers open only under bright sunlight and close tightly on overcast days and at night to protect their reproductive organs.

The hooked spines are so strong and sharp that they were historically used as actual fishhooks by some indigenous groups.

Special abilities

The sharp, hooked central spines protect the plant from herbivores and help channel scarce rainwater directly toward the roots.

It opens its stomata only at night to absorb carbon dioxide, dramatically reducing water loss during hot desert days.

During extreme dry spells, the stem can shrink and pull slightly closer to the ground to minimize exposure and conserve moisture.

Measurements & details

Length: 5-25 cm
Weight: 0.1-1.5 kg
Lifespan: 20-50 years

Diet & Feeding

As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own energy using sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and essential soil minerals.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Water
Carbon Dioxide
Soil Minerals

Ecological connections

Mutualism

Texas striped sweat bee

Agapostemon texanus

Pollinates the bright flowers while collecting nectar and pollen.

Eaten by

Desert Cottontail

Sylvilagus audubonii

Feeds on the succulent stems or fruits during severe drought conditions.

Mutualism

Mycorrhizal fungus

Glomus intraradices

Symbiotic root fungus that assists the cactus in absorbing scarce nutrients and moisture.

Traits

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Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Clover'S Fishhook Cactus?

Compare leaf arrangement, rosette shape, ribs, spines and flowers. Keep in mind that drought and strong sun can shift a plant's color and shape. Succulent Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is Clover'S Fishhook Cactus?

5-25 cm

How much does Clover'S Fishhook Cactus weigh?

0.1-1.5 kg

How long does Clover'S Fishhook Cactus live?

20-50 years

What does Clover'S Fishhook Cactus eat?

As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own energy using sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and essential soil minerals.

Where is Clover'S Fishhook Cactus usually found?

Found in arid badlands, sagebrush communities, and rocky clay hillsides of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.