Alternate name: Comb Hedgehog

Family: Cactaceae, Cactus view all from this family

Description A low, cylindrical cactus girdled from top to bottom by bands of colorful spines, pink, gray, pale yellow, brown, or white; flowers pink, rose, lavender, or yellow.
Flowers: 2 1/2-51/2" (6.5-14 cm) wide, 1 or few per plant; petals many.
Stems: To 4" (10 cm) wide; ribs 15-22.
Spines: To 1/2" (1.5 cm) long, slender, in close clusters; point at which they attach is a vertical oval.
Fruit: Plump, greenish, with spines eventually dropping off.
Height: 4-12" (10-30 cm).

Flower June-August.

Habitat Rocky slopes and flats, commonly on limestone.

Range Central and southern Arizona east to western Texas and south to northern Mexico.

Discussion The banded colors of spines explain the name Rainbow Cactus. The strikingly beautiful flowers seem far too large for the plant.