Coryphantha Species, Elephant's Tooth, Starry Ball

Coryphanthaelephantidens

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Coryphantha (kor-ry-FAN-tha)
Species
elephantidens (el-ef-FANT-id-enz)
Synonym
Mammillaria recurvispina
Coryphantha recurvispina
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Textured
Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Pale Pink
Pink
Magenta (pink-purple)
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From woody stem cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Phoenix, Arizona(2 reports)

Carlsbad, California

Mountain View, California

Thousand Oaks, California

Vista, California(9 reports)

Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes

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Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
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P
Phoenix, AZ | February 2015 | positive

Central Phoenix -- Coryphantha elephantidens seem to like more sun than many of the small cacti. I have two plants in the ground in shad...Read More

T
Vista, CA | December 2007 | positive

Elephantidens is by far the favorite of all Coryphanthas. If there is one cactus that is permissible to grow lush for looks this is the ...Read More

X
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | October 2004 | neutral

More synonyms are: Coryphantha garessii, Mammillaria retusa, Cactus recurvispinus, Cactus elephantidens & Echinocactus elephantidens.

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | July 2004 | positive

dark green globular suckering cactus with bright pink to dull pink flowers in later summer to fall. I have had one in the ground 7 years...Read More

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