Coryphantha clavata

Coryphantha clavata is a small cactus native to Mexico. It belongs to the cactus family, Cactaceae. Kew places its native range in northeastern Mexico. LLIFLE records it across seven states, including Hidalgo and Jalisco. It grows in dry shrubland and sandy grassland. Plants often shelter beneath shrubs, including agaves and hechtias. They occupy lower slopes of limestone and volcanic hills. Recorded sites lie around 5,580–5,910 feet [1,700–1,800 metres] above sea level.

Most plants form one upright stem rather than a clump. The stem can be cylindrical or widen toward its top. It reaches about 0.33–0.98 feet [0.10–0.30 metres] tall. Its width is about 0.13–0.23 feet [0.04–0.07 metres]. The skin is dark blue-green and may show red tones. Dense wool covers the growing tip. Below ground, the plant has a thick, turnip-shaped root. Raised tubercles form rows along the stem. Young spaces between them hold short white wool.

White areoles bear the spines above these raised tubercles. Shallow grooves link their upper and lower parts. Large red glands also occur near these grooves. Most areoles carry eight or nine radial spines. The full range runs from six to twelve. These spines start brown, with reddish bases and dark tips. A longer central spine may also be present. It can be straight, curved, or hooked. Its yellow-brown surface often has darker bands.

Flowers open at the top of the stem. Their pale yellow colour contrasts with the dark body. Flowers reach about 0.13 feet [0.04 metres] across. Their narrow inner segments are creamy white. The pointed outer segments have broad brownish stripes. Pink stamens sit below the ends of the flower segments. The style is pink, with five or six greenish stigma lobes. Pale green fruits follow, reaching about 0.07 feet [0.02 metres] long. The seeds are brown.

LLIFLE describes this cactus as easy to grow and flower. It needs an open growing mix that drains well. Too much water can lead to rot. Growers can raise new plants from seed. The supplied evidence gives no species-level frost limit or flowering months. It also gives no food use or toxicity assessment. In the wild, fires set for grazing may threaten some sites. LLIFLE reports no major threat across its range as a whole.