Pelecyphora vivipara is a species of cactus known by several common names, including spinystar, viviparous foxtail cactus, pincushion cactus and ball cactus. It is native to North America, where certain varieties can be found from Mexico to Canada. Most of these varieties are limited to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. The species epithet "vivipara" was likely a reference to the plants tendency to produce offsets, or "pups", which is known as vivipary.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Spinystar being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Cochemiea wrightii
- Escobaria chlorantha
- Sclerocactus wetlandicus
- Pediocactus simpsonii
- Escobaria villardii
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Order
- Caryophyllales
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Genus
- Escobaria
- Species
- Escobaria vivipara
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