Graham's nipple cactus
ExplorePlants
Graham's nipple cactus
Cochemiea grahamii
Graham's nipple cactus is a small, round cactus with little bumps on its surface. It loves sunny, dry places and can bloom beautiful flowers when it's happy!
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The Graham's nipple cactus has a spherical to cylindrical green body covered in prominent, rounded bumps called tubercles. Each tubercle sports a cluster of sharp, whitish radial spines and a distinctive reddish-brown, downward-hooked central spine, giving it a unique "fishhook" appearance.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCactaceaeGenusCochemiea
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
4
Interesting facts
Even in scorching deserts, this cactus keeps its cool by growing slowly.
Its little fruits are called 'chilitos' by locals, meaning 'little chilis'!
Some desert birds love to build nests right among its spiny defenses!
The hooked spines can actually grab onto fur, helping its seeds hitch a ride!
Special abilities
Ability
Water Reservoir
Graham's nipple cactus can swell its stem to store precious water, helping it survive long droughts in its desert home.
Ability
Fishhook Shield
This cactus has sharp, hooked central spines that deter hungry animals from trying to eat its juicy stem.
Ability
Sweet Bait
Graham's nipple cactus produces small, bright red, edible fruits that attract animals, helping to spread its seeds.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-20 cm
- Spread
- 10-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to early summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Gathers nectar and pollen from its flowers.
pollinates
Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
Feeds on nectar, transferring pollen between blooms.
eaten by
White-throated Woodrat
Neotoma albigula
Eats parts of the cactus, especially fruits and stems.
eats
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
Consumes the bright red fruits, aiding in seed dispersal.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Succulent
Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Be careful not to touch the spines, as they can be sharp.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Graham's nipple cactus?
The easiest way to identify Graham's nipple cactus is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Graham's nipple cactus?
10-20 cm
How wide does Graham's nipple cactus spread?
10-30 cm
How big are the flowers on Graham's nipple cactus?
2-3 cm
When does Graham's nipple cactus bloom?
Spring to early summer
Is Graham's nipple cactus edible?
Yes
Is Graham's nipple cactus toxic?
None
What is Graham's nipple cactus's lifecycle?
Perennial
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
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