BALL CACTI are unbranched, leafless and bear spines 
without barbs on the tip. 
• 
Mamiliaria (Coryphantha) viyipara is 2 inches in diton-l 
eter and 2 inches high. The spines are borne on tubercules 
(nipples) about- — inch long and 5/l6 inch in diameter. The 
tubercule is slightly grooved on the upper side and' bears- 
at the tip 12-20 white, brown tipped, radial spines. The 
four longer central spines are quite brownish. The flowers 
arise from between the tubercules at the top of the plant 
and are an inch in diameter and bright purple. Of all our 
cacti fruits this little green spineless fruit aione is 
juicy and has an attractive flavor* 
Echinocereus viridiflorus is 2 inches high and more 
inclined to be cylindrical. The spines are borne on 13' 
vertical or spiral ridges. The radial spines are 12-Xfe, 
of variable length and color, most being white and the 
longer red tipped. There may be one.stout red central 
spine, occasionally white, or no central at ail. The yel¬ 
low flowers are borne prolifically and they remain open 
several days. It is.followed by a spiny green oval fruit. 
This is art excellent cactus of wide distribution. 
Ech inocereus c aespit osus is some 2-g- inches tail and 
pointed cylindrical.. The spines are borne on vertical 
ridges and number 13-20. All spines are radial spines 
and short, white, or red tipped. The plant is densely 
covered with spines. The flower is bright purple and is 
large for s.o small a cactus, being 1-g- inches in diameter. 
The dry fruit is spiny and splits down one side when the- 
seeds are ripe. 
0PUNTIA--AH members of the .genus .Opuntia are branched 
and bear stout spines arising from an area of amai^ bristles. 
The new growth has small cone-shaped leaves which soon drop 
off as the spines start growth from the axil. The end 
pxant consists of stem and root'. The fruit is spiny,large, 
edible If the spines are rubbed off,and bears at the. tip 
a cone-shaped scar where the 3howy blossom was attached. 
These are even hardier than'.the preceding species. 
