Coryphantha compacta

Coryphantha compacta typically but not always grows alone. Its stems are globose but a little flattened from the top. Mature stems average a little over 3 inches (8cm) in diameter.^[3]

As seen at the right, the outer part of the cactus's body is separated into low tubercles which clump together looking like the bottoms of green chili peppers. A clusters of 11-16 slender, white-to-yellow spines arises atop each tubercle, emerging from special areas known as areoles. Most of the spines radiate outwardly, keeping close to the cactus's surface, with their tips somewhat overlapping the tips of neighboring clusters. Arising from the center of each spine cluster there may or may not be a central spine, which is hooked at its tip, like a cat's claw. Usually flowers -- which are only about 2m long (~¾ inch) -- are pale yellow. The fruits are egg-shaped and orangish brown.^[4]

The iNaturalist website documents research-grade observations in the northwestern Mexican states of Chihuahua, Sonora, Sinaloa and Durango. ^[5]

Coryphatha compacta mainly inhabits desert and dry scrub at elevations of 1400-2400m (4600-7900ft). This environment includes sandy open areas such as the tops of low hills in soils of volcanic origin. In these spots it's possible to encounter other cactus and succulent species such as Cochemiea wrightii, Mammillaria heyderi, Erythrina americana y Nolina texana.

The first description of this species was under the name of Mammillaria compacta, published in 1848 by the German botanist George Engelmann, in the book Memoir of a Tour to Northern Mexico: connected with Col. Doniphan's Expedition.^[6] In 1922 the US botanist Charles Russell Orcutt shifted the species to the genus Coryphantha, as Coryphantha compacta.^[2]