Cochemiea grahamii
Graham's nipple cactus
Southwestern United States and northern Mexico
Overview
Cochemiea grahamii, Graham's nipple cactus or fishhook pincushion, is a small cactus in the family Cactaceae, forming a solitary or clustering, rounded to cylindrical stem 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) tall and 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) across. The stem is covered in cone-shaped tubercles, each tipped with a cluster of slender white radial spines and one or more darker, hooked central spines that catch on fur and skin. In summer it bears a ring of funnel-shaped pink to lavender flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across near the top of the stem, followed by fleshy, club-shaped red fruits. It grows in desert flats, grasslands, and rocky slopes of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, often partly hidden among rocks and shrubs. The plant is slow-growing and drought-adapted, storing water in its stem, but it rots in wet or poorly drained soil. C. grahamii is grown by cactus collectors in containers and in desert and rock gardens within its hardiness range.
Native Range
Cochemiea grahamii is native to the southwestern United States, including Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas, and to northern Mexico. It grows in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts on rocky slopes, gravelly flats, and desert grasslands. It often grows in the shelter of rocks and shrubs.Suggested Uses
Graham's nipple cactus is grown in containers, desert and rock gardens, and cactus collections within its hardiness range. Its summer flowers draw bees and other desert pollinators. The red fruits are eaten by birds and small desert animals.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 6"
Width/Spread2" - 3"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in summer, often after rains from June through August. The pink to lavender flowers open in a ring around the stem top and last a few days each. Red fruits ripen weeks later and may stay on the plant into the following season.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pink to lavenderFoliage Description
Green stemGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 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
Grow Graham's nipple cactus in full sun to light shade in gritty, fast-draining mineral soil such as a cactus or sand-and-gravel mix. Water sparingly during the warm growing season and keep it dry in winter, as wet, cold soil causes rot. It tolerates intense heat and drought, storing water in its stem. It is hardy to about 15-20F (-9 to -7C), roughly USDA zones 9-10, and needs protection or container culture in colder areas. Growth is slow, and plants may take several years to reach flowering size. It has few pests, though mealybugs and root rot can occur under poor drainage or overwatering.Pruning
No pruning is needed. Dried flower and fruit remains can be picked off to keep the plant tidy. Offsets can be separated to propagate clustering plants.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons