48 THE FANTASTIC CLAN 



Cactaceae, hence called the Baby Cacti, and are full of star- 

 shaped spines with an extra-long one in each cluster, all 

 thorns hooked over on the ends. The spines are slender but 

 stout, mostly of two kinds and generally less than a half-inch 

 long, sharp and needlelike, and usually with hairs. There 

 are no spicules nor leaves. The flowers are small or me- 

 dium-sized and open in the forenoon, closing in the afternoon 

 of the same day. The fruit is rather small, is smooth and 

 has no tubercles, scales, nor bracts. These dainty cacti often 

 cling together in groups, and the symmetrical arrangement 

 of the flowers and spines, the brilliant harmony of colorings 

 in both, and the spirally arranged tubercles give the plants 

 a most attractive appearance. 



How to grow 



Transplant at any season, preferably early In spring, to a 

 southern exposure if possible. In soil similar to that of the 

 native habitat of the plant, irrigate once In two or three 

 weeks sufiiciently to keep the soil lightly moist but not wet. 

 Provide some shade for species growing In their native 

 habitats at high altitudes or in partial shade. These plants 

 grow easily from seed sown a quarter- to a half-inch deep in 

 sandy soil mixed with a small amount of ground charcoal 

 and leaf mold In flats or pots, kept slightly moist in part 

 shade. When a half-Inch tall they may be transplanted to 

 small pots. They grow Indoors and outside. 



Foxtail Cactus; Desert Pincushion 



(Coryphantha deserii) 



How to identify and how it grows 



The Foxtail Cactus grows as a single stem or in clumps. 

 The stems are cylindrical and two or three inches In diameter, 

 with tubercles nearly an inch long and also cylindrical. The 



