Starry Ball Cactus
Family
Cactacaea
Native
Mexico
Description
Coryphantha elephantidens is a large, depressed-globular cactus, simple or occasionally clumping and group-forming. This small, rather inconspicuous cactus is characterized by elongated tubercles that point upwards and have between 2 and 8 differently-angled central spines, brown in color, surrounded by 9 to 15 shorter, white, radial spines, but the green stems are still clearly visible. closing. Stems are small, not exceeding 6 inches in height, are solitary for several years then start to cluster.
C. elephantidens usually has pink flowers but they can sometimes be yellow.
Environment
Coryphantha elephantidens prefers shady positions, beneath larger plants or partly covered by grass. It grows out in the open or under bushes. It also grows in pure gypsum and in gravelly soils.
It grows nearly in all substrates including nearly pure gypsum, gravelly soils, usually sandy alluvium or clay, especially in dry river lagoon areas, rarely crevices or steep slopes.
Landscape Uses
This is a beautiful specimen cactus for a large cactus or succulent garden. It can make an interesting plant for a large container and is a nice centerpiece for a warm, sunny courtyard. The plant does have a few spines so care should be taken in its location.