Moderate water when in a growing period, little to no water the rest of
the time
Seeds, divisions
The Coryphantha macromeris has long soft tubercles. Mature plants have
attractive light pink flowers.
Blooming Habits:
The Coryphanta macromeris has 2 inches wide (5 cm) pink flowers during
the summer.
A fairly popular and common cluster-habit, large mound forming cactus with
nipple-like protrusions and long spines. Well known and respected by with many
Native American shamans. Reportedly used as a traditional hallucinogen. K. Trout
states that a bioassay experience "had been very mild and very strange, with
many waves of intense nausea and extremely persistent after effects, such as
distorted vision and a very weird feeling of unreality lasting for weeks after
its use."
This genus is comprised of 70 known species which are generally characterized
as a small, globular, somewhat flattened spiny cactus. The tubercles are usually
arranged in 13 rows tipped with small radial spines. Several species of this
Genus contain alkaloids which are chemically similar to epinephrine. Nearly all
species are native to Mexico. The name of this Genus is derived from the Greek "koryphe"
for summit and "anthos" for flower.
Popular with collectors and easy to grow, these Cacti are regularly found for
sale at nurseries and discount stores.
Family: Cactaceae
Common names: Dona ana.
Related species:
Description: A fairly popular and common cluster-habit, large mound
forming cactus with nipple-like protrusions and long spines.
Native to: A wide region including Northern Mexico, Texas and New
Mexico.
Cultivation parameters:
Active constituents: Macromerine, normacromerine.
Traditional/medicinal uses: Well known and respected by with many
Native American shamans.
Description: Stems succulent, hemispheric, tubercled, up to 15 cm in
diameter and tall, or exceptionally taller, usually single but sometimes a few
in a cluster; tubercles to 7 mm long, conical, somewhat dorsiventrally
flattened, with a felted groove running the length of the upper side; spines
usually straight, with mostly 6-12 radials to 2.5 cm long, some upper radials
often much like the central spine; central spine usually single, stouter than
radials, and to 4 cm long (but usually shorter); flowers about 5 cm wide,
yellow, rarely streaked or blushed with reddish in center; stamens yellow to
orange; fruit to 3 cm long by 1.5 cm wide, green, the pulp juicy and
mucilaginous, the perianth deciduous when mature; seeds brown, nearly smooth,
about 2-3 mm long, somewhat flattened and kidney-shaped, with a lateral hilum.
Flowers May to July, and possibly to as late as November.
Similar Species: In New Mexico, only C. scheeri var. valida
and C. macromeris are similar. Coryphantha scheeri var. valida
occurs farther to the west and has usually more than one central spine, more
than 11 radial spines, spines stouter, and the flowers, fruits, and seeds
average slightly larger. The main central spine is often curved down and
occasionally hooked (the basis for the name "var. uncinata," which is a
synonym of var. valida). Coryphantha macromeris differs in smaller
size, clustering habit, groove not reaching the base of the tubercle, lavender
to magenta flowers, and smaller, rounder seeds.
Distribution: New Mexico, Chaves and Eddy counties; adjacent western
Texas, Brewster, Crockett, Loving, Pecos, Reeves, Terrell, Ward, and doubtfully
Maverick counties.
Habitat: Favors nearly level areas in desert grassland and Chihuahuan
desert scrub, usually on gravelly or silty soils, occasionally on rocky benches
or bajadas on limestone or gypsum; 1,000-1,100 m (3,300-3,600 ft).
Remarks: This variety is apparently limited to the Pecos River drainage
in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico; it is unknown if it is present in
adjacent Coahuila. The variety shows kinship to Coryphanthasulcata,
which occurs farther to the east. The variety scheeri is little studied,
and population dynamics are not well understood. Apparently populations exist
over wide areas in low densities, giving the (perhaps false) impression that
plants are rare.
Conservation Considerations: Since populations are apparently comprised
of relatively few long-lived individuals, it is likely that any impact may be
detrimental to the health of the populations. A few plants have been observed to
be damaged by trampling and to be eaten by domestic livestock. Off-road vehicles
and commercial and residential development seem to have a limited impact in some
areas. Even so, at this time, most populations seem to be in no immediate
danger, but protection measures may be needed in the future.
