Scientific Name
Epithelantha bokei L.D. Benson
Common Name(s)
Button Cactus, Boke's Button Cactus, Ping Pong Ball Cactus
Synonym(s)
Epithelantha micromeris subsp. bokei
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Subtribe: Cactinae
Genus: Epithelantha
Etimology
The specific epithet "bokei" (pronounced "BOH-kay-eye") honors Norman Hill Boke (1913-1996), a plant anatomist who specialized in the anatomy of the Cactaceae family.
Origin
Epithelantha bokei is native to Texas, United States, and Coahuila, Mexico.
Description
Epithelantha bokei is a small cactus with disc-shaped or cylindrical stems thickly covered in white or yellowish spines. The stems are usually unbranched and can grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) tall.
The flowers are pale pink and can reach a length of 0.7 inches (1.8 cm) and nearly equal diameter. The edible fruits are smooth, bright red, and can grow 0.4 inches (1 cm) long. In the species' native habitat, most of the plant is below ground, with only a few centimeters above ground. They contract into the ground during dry periods.
How to Grow and Care for Epithelantha bokei
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25°F (-3.9°C) to 50°F (10°C).
To encourage better flowering, allow the plants to enjoy a cooling period in the winter and suspend watering. Unlike many other cacti, which use their ribs as storage devices, Mammillaria feature raised tubercles, from which spines emerge. When you water, the tubercles expand to increase water storage. The flowers appear from the axils of these tubercles on the previous year's growth, which accounts for their interesting halo effect. The cactus mustn't be exposed to prolonged dampness or standing water. Never let your cactus sit in a dish of water. Lastly, fertilize during the growing season for the best results.
Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot Mammillaria, ensure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, removing any rotted or dead roots. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill it with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Mammillaria.
Links
- Back to genus Epithelantha
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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