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Stem: Subglobose (almost round). Can achieve 6 cms. in diameter and about 5 cms. in height (2¼in. by 2in.).
Areoles: Circular to oval.
Spines: Smooth, relatively hard, radial, 9-15 per areole, spreading, white, 2-6 mm. ( rarely in an old plant a small central spine of 4-8 mm).
Roots: fibrous.
Scientific name: Pediocactus despainii
Common names: San Rafael Cactus, Despain’s Pincushion Cactus, Despain Footcactus.
Synonyms: Pediocactus bradyi var. despainii, Puebloa bradyi var. despainii, Pediocactus simpsonii var. despainii
Etymology: The genus name ‘Pediocactus’ derives from the Greek words ‘Pedion’ meaning ‘plain/level’ referring to the general habitat of the plant on the Great Plains, and the word ‘cactus’ ( an old genus name) The genus name implies ‘Cactus of the plains’ The species name derives from the name of the discoverer: K. Despain who discovered the plant in 1978
Origin: This species is known in the wild from only two localities with a total of about 6000 individuals, it is endemic to Emery County in central Utah.
Light: Will take full sun, or light shade.
Compost: A very well drained compost mix, as the plant is prone to rot.
Water: Needs less than average water.
Flower: Near the tip of the stem, 1.5-2.5 × 1.8-2.5 cm; scales and outer tepals minutely toothed; outer tepals yellow-bronze to peach-bronze or pink with purple mid-stripes, 4-10 × 3-6 mm; inner tepals yellow-bronze to peach-bronze (rarely pink), 6-12 × 4-6 mm. and bloom during April and May
Fruit: Green, drying reddish brown, turbinate (shaped like a top). Seeds: black, 3.5 × 2.5 mm, shiny, and rough.
Min. temp: The plant tolerates frost very well, but cannot stand ‘wet feet.’
Cultivation: Very rot prone and difficult to grow on it's own roots in cultivation, better and easier if grafted. It needs regular water in late winter, early spring (the short main growing season), and also in Autumn, when flower buds are produced and it starts growing again. The flowers buds stay dormant on the plant apex all the winter, they will then open in spring when the temperature rises. If the plant is kept in a greenhouse through the winter light watering at intervals will stop the flower buds from aborting.
Habitat: It grows on hills tops, benches, gentle slopes and desert pavements of cobble or pebble in open pinyon-juniper woodlands and mixed semi-arid shrub-grassland communities in fine textured soils rich in calcium. At altitudes ranging from 1450 to 2080 metres. The habitat of this species is vulnerable, the species is seriously threatened by over collection, surface disturbance from off-road vehicle use, humans trampling and cattle grazing. In addition part of the range of this species is exposed to dangers from oil, gas, gypsum and other minerals exploitation.
Comments: Perhaps not the most exciting looking cactus in my collection, or the rarest (though that may change). However, because of its precarious hold on life in its natural habitat, it should be of interest to all collectors of the Cactaceae family. It does not take up a lot of room and if you see one for sale (perhaps under the name Pediocactus bradyi var. despainii) why not give it a place in your collection. It will reward you by being one of the first cactus to flower in your collection.