Escobaria vivipara var. rosea

Viviparous foxtail cactus

Family: Cactaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Viviparous foxtail cactus is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the northeastern San Bernardino Mountains in limestone slopes and hills at elevations of 1,500 to 2,700 meters. Flowering in May, this cactus produces pale to dark rose-pink and magenta flowers 3 to 5 centimeters in diameter with distinctive inner perianth petals that spread and curve outward. Growing as a compact plant with 1 to several stems that are ovoid-spheric and 7 to 18 centimeters tall, it has a robust and dense structure. Its areoles are densely covered with 10 to 12 central spines and 12 to 18 radial spines, creating a striking protective layer around the plant body. The flower's white to pale magenta stigma lobes add a delicate contrast to its vibrant pink petals.

Habitat: Limestone slopes, hills

Bloom period: May

Elevation: 1500-2700 m

Bioregions: DMtns (ne San Bernardino Co.)

California counties: San Bernardino

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