Mammillaria grahamii var. grahamii
Graham's fishhook cactus
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Mammillaria grahamii var. grahamii (Graham's fishhook cactus) is a native California perennial in the Cactaceae family.
Graham's fishhook cactus is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the northeastern Sonoran Desert in southeastern San Bernardino County, growing in sandy or rocky canyons and creosote-bush scrub at elevations of 300 to 900 meters. Flowering in April, this cactus produces flowers 15 to 25 millimeters long with inner perianth parts ranging from 9 to 16, creating delicate white to pink blossoms. Growing as a compact spheric to cylindric plant 7 to 15 centimeters tall and 4 to 7 centimeters in diameter, it forms clusters of several stems with a firm texture. Its distinctive spines include 1 to 2 central spines per areole, with at least one spine characteristically hooked, surrounded by 17 to 28 radial spines 6 to 12 millimeters long. The fruit develops into a long club-shaped structure 12 to 25 millimeters in length, creating an intricate structural display in its desert habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species - geographically isolated in ne DSon region, CNPS 2B.2
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or rocky canyons, washes, plains, creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: 300-900 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: Arizona, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Mammillaria grahamii var. grahamii blooms Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Cochemiea: Mammillaria has hooked central spines; Cochemiea has straight central spines (formerly split from Mammillaria).; vs Escobaria: Mammillaria has tubercles without grooves; Escobaria has grooved tubercles running from spine to base.; vs Ferocactus: Mammillaria has tubercles not ribs; Ferocactus has prominent vertical ribs.; vs Kroenleinia: Mammillaria has distinct hooked spines; Kroenleinia has straight or slightly curved spines.; vs Echinocereus: Mammillaria has single or few-stemmed clusters with tubercles; Echinocereus forms large soft clusters with ribs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mammillaria grahamii var. grahamii native to California?
Yes. Mammillaria grahamii var. grahamii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mammillaria grahamii var. grahamii bloom?
Mammillaria grahamii var. grahamii blooms Apr.
Where in California does Mammillaria grahamii var. grahamii grow?
Mammillaria grahamii var. grahamii occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 300-900 m.
What plant family does Mammillaria grahamii var. grahamii belong to?
Mammillaria grahamii var. grahamii is in the Cactaceae family, genus Mammillaria.
Is Mammillaria grahamii var. grahamii rare or endangered?
Mammillaria grahamii var. grahamii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.