Cactus Monday (#35) C = for Cactus

C = for Cactus ! (What else!) Graham's Nipple Cactus or Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria grahamii) is a common cactus in Tucson. These small cacti are very easy to overlook, except when they are blooming. Their flowers are a lovely rose-pink color, and they circle the cactus tops, sometimes forming perfect, crown-like rings like this one. Its radial spines cover the stem "nipples" and one or two dark, hooked spines emerge from each of the "nipples". Of course this knowledge came from the internet, as mine on cacti is limited. I found this while searching for an image to paint for the ABC challenge. I bought this cactus a few weeks ago, about to blossom with a lot of buds, but unfortunately they all dried up and disappeared.....maybe next year. So far all my cacti are still alive, watering them only once a month, according to the advice of my fellow cactuteers. (Thanks!) Happy Cactus Monday to you all!