Escobaria alversonii

Foxtail cactus

Family: Cactaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 4.3

Foxtail cactus is a California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in southern desert regions of the Mojave and Sonoran Desert in sandy or rocky creosote-bush scrub at elevations of 75 to 600 meters. Flowering from May to June, this cactus produces pale to deep rose-pink or rose-violet flowers approximately 3 centimeters in diameter with conspicuously darker midstripes. Growing with generally solitary stems 10 to 27 centimeters tall and 6 to 9 centimeters in diameter, this cylindric cactus occasionally appears slightly decumbent. Its areoles feature 8 to 10 central spines and 12 to 18 radial spines, creating a dense, protective covering. The white stigma lobes spread widely, adding distinctive texture to its delicate rose-colored blooms.

Habitat: Sandy or rocky alluvium, creosote-bush scrub

Bloom period: May-Jun

Elevation: 75-600 m

Bioregions: s DMoj, DSon.

California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.