Coryphantha missouriensis
(Missouri Pincushion Cactus)
Family: Cactaceae (Cactus)
   
Each tubercle, or "bump", on Coryphantha is grooved on the upper side. The flowers of C. missouriensis are located in a ring near the apex of the plant. The red berries appear the following year. The tubercles of Coryphantha appear to be randomly arranged, in contrast to the longitudinal ridges with spines in straight lines found on Echinocereus sp.  While Weber describes C. missouriensis as infrequent, large patches can be found. The pictured plants are part of a large population in Gateway Park on the streambank of the North Fork of the Poudre River, just below Seaman Reservoir.

Vegetation zone:  Plains, Foothills
Time of bloom:  May - July
Origin:  Native
Eastern Colorado Wildflowers