About Cochemiea tetrancistra (Engelm.) P.B.Breslin & Majure
This cactus species, Cochemiea tetrancistra, most often grows a single cylindrical stem that is a few centimeters wide, reaching up to approximately 25 centimeters (9.8 inches) tall and 3 to 8 centimeters (1.2 to 3.1 inches) in diameter. It has tuberous roots. Its cylindrical warts do not produce milky juice, and its axillae are covered in bristles. Each spine cluster contains 3 or 4 dark, hooked central spines, plus many straight white radial spines; the longest of these spines can reach 2.5 centimeters (0.98 inches) in length. There are 30 to 60 radial spines total, which are hair-like, arranged in two rows, white with dark tips, and measure 6 to 10 millimeters (0.24 to 0.39 inches) long. Its open flowers are 2 to 4 centimeters (0.79 to 1.57 inches) wide, and range in color from pink to lavender. The fruit is red, shiny, fleshy, and 1.2 centimeters (0.47 inches) long, holding many black seeds that are covered in corky arils. Cochemiea tetrancistra occurs in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah in the United States, as well as the Mexican states of Baja California and Sonora, growing at elevations between 100 and 1500 meters.
