Recurved Cory Cactus
Coryphantha recurvata
Coryphantha recurvata forms prolifically offsetting mounds of 6" tall x 10" wide barrels, each adorned in yellow, downward aimed spines. The barrels are topped with a mass of small yellow flowers, starting in mid-summer, usually triggered by monsoon flowering. The fruit is an elongated, greenish berry which ripens in the winter.
Grow in part sun to bright shade. Plants in filtered or morning sun look the best. Provide excellent drainage. Low water needed though watering plants that are in the ground 2-3 times a month in summer keeps them looking their best. Container plants water 1-2 times a week in summer. Water once or twice a month in winter in containers, and maybe once or twice the whole winter for plants in the ground. Hardy to about 10°F.
Most likely a bee-pollinated species.
Photo by southwestwanderer, iNaturalist
Coryphantha recurvata on SEINET
The name of the Coryphantha recurvata cactus comes from the Greek words koryphe meaning "top" and anthos meaning "flowering". The species name, recurvata, refers to the distinctive, downward curving, central spine. There are 50 species of Coryphantha native to arid parts of Central America, Mexico, through Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas and north into southwestern, central, and southeastern Montana.
This species is native to rocky slopes in oak woodland or grassland in Santa Cruz County, Arizona where it is somewhat restricted to a few locales. It is much more common in Sonora, Mexico.
The yellow flowers form rings on the top of the stems and appear in monsoon. Photo by Salvador Jauregui, iNaturalist
This image helps identify this species with its distinctive spination. Photo by Ries Lindley, SEINET