Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Escobaria vivipara is a species of cactus known by several common names, including spinystar, and viviparous foxtail cactus. It is native to North America, where certain varieties can be found from Mexico to Canada. Most are limited to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. This is a small cactus growing to a maximum height of about 15 centimeters, often remaining smaller and oblong or spherical. It is densely covered in a mat of star-shaped arrays of straight white spines one to two and a half centimeters long. It flowers in yellow, pink, or purple blooms two to five centimeters across. Varieties include:

Plant type

Shrub, Perennial herb

Size

6 in Tall

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Color

Pink, Yellow, White, Purple

Special uses

Containers, Deer resistant

Sun

Full Sun

Soil drainage

Fast

Site type

Sandy rocky soils