OtterKnow Kids Encyclopedia

The pincushion cactus is a tiny, round cactus that looks like a little cushion covered with pins, just like the kind people use when they are sewing! There are over 200 different kinds of pincushion cacti, and most of them come from Mexico and the southwestern United States.

Pincushion cacti are covered in soft-looking white or silver spines that grow in neat little star shapes all over their body. Even though they look fluffy, those spines are sharp! In spring, the cactus surprises everyone by growing a ring of tiny, colorful flowers around the top, almost like a little crown. The flowers can be pink, red, yellow, or white.