A first gaze upon the Oak / Pinyon-Juniper Woodland habitat in the Little San Bernardino Mountains near Skull Rock might overlook smaller plants. Attenuate towards the gravely granitic grit and you will eventually encounter the uncommon Coryphantha Alversonii, otherwise referred to as Cushion Foxtail.
Appearing occasionally singular but generally as a collection, their stout cylindrical stems are less than 12 inches tall and can present deceptively soft. An in depth view reveals multiple densely packed needle like thorns heavily obscuring the green flesh beneath. The spines are often white with reddish black tips, deriving its common name. Unlike their Cylindropuntia cousins, Cushion Foxtails do not have barbs on their spines.
Blooming in May and June, C. Alversonii bears attractive flowers in shades of pink, the remanats of which often linger when the pale green plump fruits emerge. Many animals have developed ways to navigate the defenses of prickly plants and their herbivory are observable on numerous cacti nearby, excluding Cushion Foxtail. Hypothesized is an extra protective quality of its dense spine coverage.
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