Yes, it’s time to go back to school. I can’t identify this bunching cactus without proper references, and I don’t know enough about cactus to know for sure. All I can say is that it’s rather common at the ranch, especially in fields covered with limestone slabs, and it’s exceedingly attractive both in and out of flower. Other than that, it’s time to study.
(This is actually Em) It’ll be easier once you get a photo of the flowers. Do you have THE GARDENER’S GUIDE TO CACTUS?
No, I don’t, but now I think I need it. Thank you, Em.
it looks alot like one I have in my ranchero garden called Mammillaria sheldonii .
What do the flowers look like?
From what little I know of these mammillarias there’s been alot of genus shuffling about. If it’s not a m. sheldonia. check out the coryphantha documentation and pics online and see what you think of that possibility.
These tend to be purplish-red, with small fruits that last for most of the year. I first thought they might be M. sheldonii, but these have that odd basket-like interweaving with the spines. Time for me to hit the books.