Cochemiea dioica
peninsular fishhook cactus
Southern California, Baja California, Sonora
Overview
Cochemiea dioica is a small desert cactus in the cactus family, formerly placed in Mammillaria spp., forming a single cylindrical stem or a small cluster of stems 3-12 inches (8-30 cm) tall and 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) wide. The stem surface is covered in spirally arranged tubercles, each tipped with a cluster of radiating spines and one or more longer central spines hooked at the tip, the feature behind the fishhook name. Funnel-shaped flowers 0.6-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) across open near the stem top in spring, cream to pale yellow with pink or maroon midstripes on the petals. Plants are functionally dioecious, with separate male and female individuals, so fruit forms only where both occur nearby. Bright red, club-shaped fruits 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) long ripen in early summer and hold many small black seeds. The species grows on rocky and gravelly desert slopes, washes, and coastal scrub from southern California through Baja California and into Sonora. It withstands extreme heat and prolonged drought but rots in wet or poorly drained soil. Its small size and hooked spines limit handling, and it is slow to grow from seed.
Native Range
Native to the deserts and coastal scrub of southern California, Baja California, and Sonora in northwestern Mexico.Suggested Uses
Grown in cactus and succulent collections, desert rock gardens, and containers in frost-free or protected sites, spaced 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) apart. In its native range it occupies dry rocky slopes where larger plants give way to open ground.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3" - 1'
Width/Spread2" - 3"
Bloom Information
Funnel-shaped flowers open near the stem top from February through April, chiefly after winter and spring rains. Flowering lasts a few weeks, with several flowers opening in succession. Red fruits ripen in late spring and early summer where both sexes grow nearby.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
cream to pale yellow with pink midstripesFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 8-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun on sharply drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soils and tolerates poor, alkaline desert ground. Established plants need no irrigation in arid climates and rot quickly in wet or heavy soil. Soil pH from 6.5 to 8.0 is suitable, and a gritty, fast-draining mix matters more than fertility. It is hardy in USDA zones 9-11 and is damaged by hard frost. Propagation is from seed, which is slow, or by separating offsets from clustering plants. In cultivation it needs a dry winter rest and protection from prolonged damp.Pruning
No pruning is needed on this small cactus. Dead or shriveled stems and offsets can be removed when the plant is dry to keep rot from spreading.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons