Fishhook cactus is a common name for any hook-spined species of the genera Mammillaria, Echinomastus or Sclerocactus. They are small cacti, usually growing up to 6-7Â inches (20Â cm) high, and are shaped similar to a barrel cactus. They are not to be confused with the fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizenii) of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. The Fishhook cactus is a large category of around 150 species.
Good places to see "fishhook" Mammillaria are the Sonoran Desert on the U.S. - Mexico border, and the Mesa Verde National Park. Often found growing in desert and rocky locations.
Notable species
The genus Mammillaria also contains "pincushion" and other cacti.
- Mammillaria barbata â€" green fishhook cactus
- Mammillaria dioica â€" California fishhook cactus, strawberry cactus
- Mammillaria grahamii â€" Arizona fishhook cactus
- Mammillaria grahamii var. oliviae â€" pitahayita
- Mammillaria tetrancistra â€" common fishhook cactus
- Mammillaria thornberi â€" Thornber's fishhook cactus
References
