Brady's pincushion cactus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brady's pincushion cactus |
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P. bradyi
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| Pediocactus bradyi L.D.Benson
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Pediocactus bradyi is a very rare type of cactus. People often call it Brady's pincushion cactus or Marble Canyon cactus. This special plant only grows in Arizona, USA. It lives in a place called Marble Canyon in Coconino County. Its exact spots are kept secret to protect it from people who might try to take it illegally.
This cactus needs a very specific type of soil to grow. Because it has a small home and faces threats from human activities, it is an endangered species. The United States government has protected it since 1979.
What it Looks Like
This cactus is round and bumpy. It usually grows by itself. It can be about 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) tall and 5 centimeters (2 inches) wide. Each little bump on the cactus has a fuzzy spot called an areole. From these spots grow several yellowish-white spines. These spines are slightly curved and about half a centimeter long. Sometimes, there are one or two darker spines in the middle.
The cactus flowers in early spring. Its flowers are about 2 centimeters (0.8 inches) long and 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) wide. They have yellowish outer petals with red or green stripes. The inner petals are straw-colored. The fruit starts green and turns red-brown when it's ripe. It's about a centimeter long. During the dry season, the cactus shrinks and pulls itself under the ground. This makes it very hard to find! Other similar cacti, like Pediocactus winkleri and Pediocactus despainii, are sometimes thought to be types of P. bradyi.
Where it Grows
This cactus grows on land made of sandstone and shale. These rocks come from a rock layer called the Moenkopi Formation. This rock is covered with small pieces and gravel from Kaibab Limestone. This mix forms the perfect ground for the cactus. It cannot grow in any other type of soil.
You can find Pediocactus bradyi growing near other plants. These include shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia), snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), and Mormon tea (Ephedra viridis).
Why it's Endangered
Pediocactus bradyi was listed as an endangered species because of many dangers. These include building and fixing highways, using off-road vehicles, and cattle eating the plants. Poaching (taking plants illegally) is also a big problem.
Natural threats also affect the cactus. For example, frost heaving can push the plants out of the ground. Because there are only a few of these cacti and they live in a small area, they are very sensitive to becoming extinct. They are also at risk from climate change, especially from longer dry periods.
See also
In Spanish: Pediocactus bradyi para niños
