Structure and identification
The stem is usually solitary and flattened. Tubercles are broad at the base, flattened above and convex below. Central spines are thick, awl-shaped, partly directed sideways and curved towards the surface. None dominates as a straight spine projecting strongly forwards. Flowers are lemon yellow, and seeds kidney-shaped. In the monograph, tubercles being longer than wide helps distinguish this species from C. elephantidens. [Dicht and Lüthy 2005, p. 70–72]
Habitat and variation
Verified sites include central Mexico, especially Hidalgo, the state of México, Puebla and Veracruz. The authors associate plants with deep, flat lava soils among grasses and opuntias. They also describe extensive agricultural transformation of some such areas and the persistence of populations in small habitat fragments. This observation dates from the period of the monograph's research. [Dicht and Lüthy 2005, p. 70–72]
Related articles
Synonyms and names in the literature
Cactus acanthostephes · Cactus latimamma · Cactus pycnacanthus · Cactus scepontocentrus · Cactus winkleri · Coryphantha acanthostephes · Coryphantha andreae · Coryphantha conimamma · Coryphantha connivens · Coryphantha pycnacantha subsp. sniceri · Coryphantha pycnacantha var. calipensis · Echinocactus acanthostephes · Echinocactus pycnacanthus · Echinocactus radiatus · Echinocactus winkleri · Escobaria sniceri · Mammillaria acanthostephes · Mammillaria conimamma · Mammillaria latimamma · Mammillaria latimamma var. spinosior · Mammillaria pycnacantha · Mammillaria scepontocentra · Mammillaria winkleri [2-WWW]