Sneed's Pincushion Cactus (Escobaria sneedii var. sneedii)

Photograph of the Sneed Pincushion Cactus

TPWD ©

Other Names
Sneed's Cory Cactus, Carpet Foxtail Cactus, Sneed's Carpet Escobaria
Texas Status
Endangered
U.S. Status
Endangered, Listed 11/07/1979
Description
The name "pincushion" is quite descriptive of this plant. The numerous stems are almost completely hidden by the hundreds of small white spines (the "pins"). The "cushion" is the mound formed by the clumps of stems. The other part of the common name comes from the man who first collected the species, J. R. Sneed.
Life History
This cactus blooms from April - September, producing fruit that ripens from June-November.
Habitat
It lives in grasslands or lechuguilla-sotol shrublands on limestone outcrops and rocky slopes of mountains within the Chihuahuan Desert.
Distribution
Sneed's pincushion cactus is found in El Paso County in Texas, mainly in the Franklin Mountains. It is also distributed in southern New Mexico.

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