Common fishhook cactus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Common fishhook cactus |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Cochemiea
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| Species: |
tetrancistra
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The Cochemiea tetrancistra is a type of fishhook cactus. People often call it the common fishhook cactus. This plant grows naturally in the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert. You can find it in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It lives in many different kinds of desert areas.
What Does the Common Fishhook Cactus Look Like?
This cactus usually has one main stem. It looks like a cylinder and is only a few centimeters wide. It can grow up to about 25 centimeters (almost 10 inches) tall.
Its spines are grouped together. Each group has 3 or 4 dark, hooked spines in the middle. These are called central spines. Around them are many straight, white spines. These are called radial spines. The longest ones can be about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) long.
The flowers of this cactus are very pretty. They are 2 to 4 centimeters wide. Their color can be pink or a light purple, like lavender.
After the flower, a fruit grows. This fruit is red and shiny. It is also soft and juicy. Inside, there are many black seeds. Each seed has a special corky coating called an aril.
See also
In Spanish: Mammillaria tetrancistra para niños
