All the information and photos in cactus art file are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.

Coryphantha tripugionacantha
This  is one of strongest spined species.
 

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Etymology: The species epithet "tripugionacantha" comes from three three strong, curved, flattened, sword-shaped central spines.

Description: Usually solitary globose cactus, but often small groups are formed by underground stolons.
Stem: Globose, somewhat depressed apically, blue green when young, later dull green, up to 9 cm in height and width.
Tubercles: Flattened, more or less rounded, up to 20 mm high.  Axil is woolly at first, later naked, without glands.
Roots: It has a huge taproot.
Central spines: 3, very stout, curved inward, grey with dark tips, radiating. 18-20 mm, radiating, lower one longest.
Radial spines: 8-9 radiating, curved inward, unequal, brownish grey, 8-9 mm long.
Flowers: Creamy yellow, 6-7 cm in diameter
Fruit: Oblong, juicy, opaque green. Up to 35mm long.
 

Cultivation: In culture C. tripugionacantha is without problems, but it grows slowly and rarely blooms.  It does best in slight shade, but does well in full sun, too. It is sensitive to over-watering (rot prone), and needs a very porous soil with good drainage.
It flowers quite early, but needs about 8-12 years to reach its typical, definite aspect.  It tolerates fairly low temperatures as long as it is kept dry (hardy to -5° C or less, for short periods of time).

Propagation: Propagation is by seed.  It also produces occasional underground stolons that can be detached from the mother plant.

All the information and photos in cactus art file are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.