Heyder Pincushion Mammillaria heyderi Size: H 1/4-1" (.6-2.5 cm); W 3-6" (7.5-15 cm) Shape: low-growing, disk-shaped cactus with a flat top Stem: single stem covered with conical green bumps (tubercles), each topped with a cluster of spines; stem has a milky white sap Spines: grayish white or pinkish brown with dark tips, 1/5-7/10" (.5-1.8 cm) long Spine Clusters: 10-22 spines per cluster; each cluster has 1 short rigid outward-pointing central spine within a semicircle of needle-like radial spines hugging the stem; lowest radials are longest Flower: small cream or pinkish blossoms in a ring at the top of stem; each flower, 1-1 1/2" (2.5-4 cm) wide, has a wide brownish green or pink stripe on the petals and a pink and green center Blooming: March-April Fruit: conical green pod, 1/2-1 3/8" (1-3.5 cm) long, with fleshy walls and tiny reddish-brown seeds, ripens 6 months to a year after blooming, elongating into a cylindrical red pod Zone/Habitat: higher desert scrub and grasslands from 3,500-6,000' (1,065-1,830 m); rocky limestone hills, washes, among grasses, or under shrubs Range: southeastern corner of Arizona, from the junction of Highway 83 and Interstate 10 (east of Tucson) northeast to the New Mexico border through Duncan and south to the Mexico border through Bisbee Compare: Heyder looks like MacDougal Pincushion (pg.

27) when not in bloom but is easily identified when it is flowering. Heyder has cream-to-pink flowers, unlike the yellow flowers of MacDougal. MacDougal has a full circle of radial spines, whereas Heyder has a semicircle of radial spines. Notes: A low, flat cactus with a stem that shrinks in winter to just above ground level or sometimes below. Grows among grasses or hides under shrubs and is often overlooked until it blooms. Some cactus lovers searching for a glimpse of this interesting plant have nearly walked on it while trying to find it. Ripe fruit, often present with the pale flowers, is the product of blooms from the previous year. Both Heyder and MacDougal Pincushions are also called Cream Pincushion, being the only Arizona cacti that have a milky sap.

Pincushions with this latex are sold in the drug stalls of Mexico and used as folk remedies. Tarahumara Natives of Mexico used this sap for headaches, ear problems, and more. Uncommon in Arizona. Also found in southern New Mexico, Texas, southwestern Oklahoma, and northeastern Mexico. Easily seen in Tombstone's historic Boot Hill Cemetery, the final resting place of outlaws killed in the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Cold hardy and frequently cultivated, this is one of the easiest (and slowest) pincushion cacti to grow.