Care of the cacti Coryphantha elephantidens or Elephants Tooth |
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The genus Coryphantha, family Cactaceae, includes 40 species of cactus native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. Some species are: Coryphantha elephantides, Coryphantha durangensis, Coryphantha cornifera, Coryphantha compacta, Coryphantha andreae, Coryphantha octacantha, Coryphantha sulcata, Coryphantha werdermannii, Coryphantha recurvata, Coryphantha macromeris, Coryphantha ottonis, Coryphantha pallida, Coryphantha maiz-tablasensis. Common names: Elephants Tooth, Elephant's Tooth, Starry Ball. This species is native to central and southern Mexico. They are dark green cacti with a solitary globular body (they can produce suckers) that reach 20 cm (7.87") in diameter and 15 cm (5.9") in height. They have large tubercles with woolly axils at the apex and elliptical areolas with 5-6 radially curved spines. The decorative flowers are pink and large. They are used in pots for patios, terraces, balconies, greenhouses and even in well-ventilated and well-lit interiors. Coryphantha elephantidens can grow in full sun or light shade exposures. The winter temperature must be above 5 ºC (41 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of 25% coarse siliceous sand and 75% leaf mulch or heather soil. These cacti need more water than most; water by immersion when the substrate has completely dried. In winter there is no need to water. Fertilize in spring with mineral fertilizer for cacti. They do not need pruning. If there is excess humidity they can be attacked by fungal diseases. They propagate easily by seeds sown in spring or by separation of suckers. |
Images of the cacti Coryphantha elephantidens or Elephants Tooth |
 Coryphantha elephantidens  Coryphantha elephantidens |