Pediocactus simpsonii


v. robustior
Photographer: Bill Beaston
Owner: Habitat
Location: Cortez Mtns. 6700 ft., Eureka Co., Nevada
Date: May 1993
Diameter: 2 inches
Since this cactus was described by Coulter in 1896, today, 100
years later, it is still the name used by most for the
Pediocacti in Oregon and Central Washington.
This cactus has a history of confusion which began with a box of
herbariun material that was sent to him, supposedly, from
Washington and, or, North Central Oregon. It is unclear as to
wheather or not Coulter actually saw the form from that area,
but his opinion was that it appeared to represent the Nevada
form, variety robustior.
The late Lyman Benson may not have seen the form shown here.
However, concerning Pediocactus simpsonii v. robustior, he
"This was my first cactus, collected May 5, 1929. The flowers
were visible 100m up the side of a hill in eastern Washington."
Lyman Benson defered to Coulter's description of the Nevada
plant for the one in North Central Oregon and Central
Washington. Lyman Benson may not have seen Coulter's plant.
The cactus shown here is the true Pediocactus simpsonii v.
robustior, and is a high altitude species, and as such, has more
in common with Pediocactus simpsonii v. minor than with variety
simpsonii. This form has particularly long central spines.

v. robustior
Photographer: Bill Beaston
Owner: Habitat
Location: Cortez Mtns, 6700 ft., Eureka Co., Nevada
Date: May 1993
Diameter: 3 inches
The plant shown here differs from the form now known as
Pediocactus nigrispinus from North Central Oregon and Central
Washington. The main feature of this cactus is the long central
spines.

FH 76
Photographer: Fritz Hochstaetter
Owner: habitat
Location: Prairie Elk Mts., Wyoming, 2600 meters
Date: 18 May 1994
Diameter: 5.5 cm
Height: 7 cm
Age: approx 12-15 years
Copyright: by photographer
central spines: 4-12 straight or slightly curved
radial spines: 10-35
widest range of this genus - in juniper-pinyon woodland,
rocky mountain montane forest, rocky mtn parkland, sagebrush desert,
arizona, idaho, wyoming, nevada, utah, colorado, new mexico east
of the continental divide, montana, in 1,400-3,200 m, absolutely
frosthardy in Europe - flower light pink to deep pink, yellow,
white, brownish,greenish, flowering period: april-june
short seed ripening (4-6 week) seeds are viable for several years