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Escobaria vivipara

Accession Count: 0

Common Name: spinystar

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Family Name: Cactaceae

Botanical Name: Escobaria vivipara

Synonyms:

Botanical Synonyms: Coryphantha vivipara, Cactus viviparus

Sub Species:

Variety:

Forma:

Cultivar:

Characteristics: Escobaria vivipara is a colonial (colony-forming), spherical cactus that usually does not form branches (1, 2). Stems are firm, being smooth in immature plants, and becoming coarse and needle-covered as the cacti ages (3). The stem is covered with slightly grooved tubercules, each tipped with a white areole, from which 18-41 spines emerge (4). Both radial and central spines are lightly pigmented and have dark tips (5). Showy, funnel-shaped pink flowers arise from the axils of tubercules near the top of the cactus, having a white stigma surrounded by orange tipped stamens (6, 7). Tepals are recurved at tips, pale pink to magenta, with darker midstripes (5). Following are light green berries that develop reddish-brown seeds (4).

Compound: Esc viv

Geographic Origin: Mexico to Canada

Ecozone Origin: Nearctic

Biome Origin:

Natural History: Escobaria vivipara was first collected by Thomas Nuttall in 1811, near the site of Fort Mandan, North Dakota. It may also have been surveyed by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on the Corps of Discovery Expedition, 1804-1806 (8). Officially, the first name given to E. vivipara was Cactus viviparus, given by Thomas Nuttall in 1813, recognizing the viviparous seed propagation common with the species (9). Later, in 1913, Nathanial Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose changed the name to Coryphantha vivipara, the genus name derived from the Greek words koryphe and Anthos - summit and flower, respectively (10). The current accepted name Escobaria vivipara was not officiated until 1951, when Franz Buxbaum included it within Oesterreichische Botanische Zeitschrift (1951) (11). The accepted genus Escobaria is named for Romulo and Numa Escobar, known teachers and agronomists from 20th century Mexico, while vivipara again references the tendency for vivipary (6).

E. vivipara is one of the only three species of cacti native to Minnesota, and it was awarded endangered status in 1996. While of the least concern in Arizona, quarry operations and illegal collecting have endangered the species in other states (12).

Cultivation Notes: In order to guarantee the best growth and encourage flowering, plant Escobaria vivipara in full sunlight or partial shade (13). Suitable for xeriscaping, E. vivipara must be watered only once a week during the summer months, and rarely during winter, as the plant is dormant and excess moisture can be harmful (14, 15). Because E. vivipara is highly susceptible to root rot, always allow the soil to completely dry out in between waterings, and plant in well-draining soil (14, 15). Most soil conditions are tolerated, but the best growth will occur in rocky or sandy soil with a pH from mildly acidic to mildly alkaline (16, 13). Additionally, E. vivipara may benefit from the addition of limestone (17). Repot only every 4 years, to avoid damaging roots (18), and use extreme caution when handling, to prevent injury from the spines (13).

The rate of seed germination is very low – propagate using offsets, or woody stem cuttings. Allow the surface of cuttings to dry and form callus before planting, and, if using seed, sow after the last frost (15). Because E. vivipara reproduces using vivipary, when the mature fruit splits, small newly developed cacti may appear rather than seeds, being a source of clonal propagules (12).

Ethnobotany: Escobaria vivipara has been used extensively within its natural habitat. Indigenous people in Saskatchewan eat the fleshy fruit as part of their diets (1), while the Cheyenne eat both fruits and flowers, choosing to boil, dry, or consume raw (19, 20). E. vivipara serves multiple purposes to the indigenous Blackfoot tribe, who use the fruits medicinally, as food, and as part of culture (21). The fruits are consumed or boiled to create candy (1, 22), and are used as a joke by placing under bed-covers (21). Medically, the fruit can be ingested to treat diarrhea, or the seeds can be inserted into a wounded eye to treat injuries (21).

Height: 0 - 5 feet

Width: 0 - 5 feet

Growth Rate: Slow Growing

Grow Season:

Flower Season: ForeSummer

Color: Pink

Function: Patio

Spread: Spreading

Allergen: Non-allergenic

Invasive: Benign

Toxicity: Benign

Hardy: Hardy