Fishhook cactus facts for kids

A fishhook Mammillaria

Fishhook cactus is a common name for any hook-spined species of the genera Mammillaria, Echinomastus or Sclerocactus. They are small cacti, usually growing up to 6-7 inches (20 cm) high, and are shaped similar to a barrel cactus. They are not to be confused with the fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizenii) of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. The Fishhook cactus is a large category of around 150 species.

Good places to see "fishhook" Mammillaria are the Sonoran Desert on the U.S. - Mexico border, and the Mesa Verde National Park. Often found growing in desert and rocky locations.

Notable species

The genus Mammillaria also contains "pincushion" and other cacti.

• Mammillaria barbata – green fishhook cactus
• Mammillaria dioica – California fishhook cactus, strawberry cactus
• Mammillaria grahamii – Arizona fishhook cactus
  • Mammillaria grahamii var. oliviae – pitahayita
• Mammillaria tetrancistra – common fishhook cactus
• Mammillaria thornberi – Thornber's fishhook cactus