Pediocactus Paradinei

Pediocactus paradinei is an uncommon, frost-tolerant species, restricted to the Kaibab Plateau of northern Arizona, at relatively high elevations, between 5,000 and 7,000 feet, amongst pinyon pine, juniper and ponderosa pine woodland, on gravelly and/or limestone substrates. Plants are solitary and inconspicuous, the greyish-green stems at most 3 inches across and 2 inches tall.

The white or pale gray spines are thin and flexible, and quite variable as regards number and appearance. Radial spines, between 13 and 22, are around half an inch long, slightly reflexed, and often somewhat curving. Central spines, slightly darker than the radials, number between three and six, and may be shorter than the radials, only a quarter of an inch, or much longer, up to 1.5 inches; longer centrals are more common for cultivated specimens, or mature native plants in favorable locations, such as in pine woodland. Longer central spines are thin and hair-like.

Flowers, around one inch in diameter have pale brown outer tepals, usually wavy or minutely toothed along the margins, and pale yellow to pale pink inner tepals. Filaments, anthers and stigma lobes are all yellow.