Escobaria vivipara var. rosea
Viviparous foxtail cactus
Stan Shebs (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Escobaria vivipara var. rosea (Viviparous foxtail cactus) is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by highest elevation, largest flowers lacking midstripes.
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.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; highest elevation, largest flowers lacking midstripes are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Limestone slopes, hills
Elevation: 1500-2700 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona
Bloom period
Escobaria vivipara var. rosea blooms May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Mammillaria: Escobaria has a groove running along the upper face of each tubercle, with flowers arising near the stem tip; Mammillaria tubercles lack this groove and its flowers emerge in a ring between older tubercles, followed by red club-shaped fruit.; vs Sclerocactus: Escobaria has nipple-like tubercles rather than continuous ribs and no hooked central spine; Sclerocactus has distinct ribs and often a hooked central spine.; vs Echinocereus: Escobaria has tubercled stems and flowers opening cream to greenish at the apex; Echinocereus has ribbed stems, spines in clusters, flowers bursting through the stem skin, green stigmas and spiny fruit.; vs Ferocactus: Escobaria is a small plant (< 15 cm) with tubercles; Ferocactus is a large barrel cactus with prominent ribs and stout, often curved spines.; vs Coryphantha: Escobaria has a groove the full length of each tubercle and many fine radial spines; Coryphantha tends to be larger with a shorter tubercle groove.
Frequently asked questions
Is Escobaria vivipara var. rosea native to California?
Yes. Escobaria vivipara var. rosea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Escobaria vivipara var. rosea bloom?
Escobaria vivipara var. rosea blooms May.
Where in California does Escobaria vivipara var. rosea grow?
Escobaria vivipara var. rosea occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1500-2700 m.
What plant family does Escobaria vivipara var. rosea belong to?
Escobaria vivipara var. rosea is in the Cactaceae family, genus Escobaria.
Is Escobaria vivipara var. rosea rare or endangered?
Escobaria vivipara var. rosea carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.