Missouri foxtail cactus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Missouri foxtail cactus |
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Cacteae
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Escobaria
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E. missouriensis
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| Escobaria missouriensis |
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Synonymy
Cactus missouriensis (Sweet) Kuntze
Coryphantha missouriensis (Scheer) Britton & Rose Coryphantha similis (Engelm.) Britton & Rose Mammillaria missouriensis Sweet Neobesseya missouriensis (Sweet) Britton & Rose Neobesseya similis (Engelm.) Britton & Rose Neomammillaria missouriensis (Sweet) Britton & Rose ex Rydb. Escobaria asperispina (Boed.) D.R.Hunt, syn of subsp. asperispina |
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The Missouri foxtail cactus (scientific name: Escobaria missouriensis) is a cool type of cactus that grows low to the ground. It used to be called Coryphantha missouriensis. You can find this cactus in North America, especially near the Missouri River in the Great Plains grasslands. It also lives in the Rocky Mountains among Ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper, and Gambel oak trees. This cactus is also native to the southwestern parts of the United States, like Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
Contents
What the Missouri Foxtail Cactus Looks Like
The Missouri foxtail cactus can grow up to about 30 centimeters (which is about 12 inches) tall. It often forms groups or "clumps" that can be 30 centimeters or more across. In the southwestern United States, these plants tend to be even larger.
Most of these cacti do not have many branches. However, the ones found in the eastern parts of their habitat can have lots of branches. Their spines are usually bright white, light gray, or light tan. Over time, these spines might turn gray or yellowish-brown.
Flowers and Blooming Time
The Missouri foxtail cactus blooms from April to June. Its flowers are usually a pale greenish-yellow to yellow-green color. They often have stripes down the middle that are green, rose-pink, or light brown.
Where the Cactus Lives and Why It's Disappearing
This cactus used to be found in many more places. However, it has disappeared from some of its old homes. This is because of things like new types of fire ants moving in, new buildings and towns being built, and changes in how land is used. Sometimes, when fires are stopped, other plants grow too much and crowd out the cactus. Also, too many animals eating plants in one area can harm the cactus.
Different Types of Missouri Foxtail Cactus
There are two main types, or subspecies, of the Missouri foxtail cactus:
- Escobaria missouriensis subsp. asperispina
- Escobaria missouriensis subsp. missouriensis
See also
In Spanish: Escobaria missouriensis para niños
