''Coryphantha macromeris'', the nipple beehive cactus, is a species of

cactus A cactus (, or less commonly, cactus) is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, a family comprising about 127 genera with some 1750 known species of the order Caryophyllales. The word ''cactus'' derives, through Latin, from the Ancient Gre ...

in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., federal district, five ma ...

and

Mexico Mexico ( Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guate ...

. In the Chihuhuan Desert, it is common and has a wide range. In the United States, it occurs naturally in

Texas Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...

and

New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe, New Mexico, Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque, New Mexico, Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Albuquerque metropolitan area, Tiguex , Offi ...

. It prefers to grown in the shade under other larger plants, growing in irregular clusters or mounds. In late summer, it blooms with purple or pink flowers and then bears green fruit.

Biochemistry

The

phenethylamine Phenethylamine (PEA) is an organic compound, natural monoamine alkaloid, and trace amine, which acts as a central nervous system stimulant in humans. In the brain, phenethylamine regulates monoamine neurotransmission by binding to trace am ...

macromerine Macromerine is a phenethylamine derivative. It was first identified from the cactus '' Coryphantha macromeris''. It can also be found in ''C. runyonii'', ''C. elephantidens'', and other related members of the family Cactaceae. The plants may have ...

is present in the cactus.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1135881

macromeris ''Macromeracis'' is a genus of flies in the family Stratiomyidae. Species *'' Macromeracis brasiliensis'' (Lindner, 1935) *'' Macromeracis elongata'' Aubertin, 1930 *'' Macromeracis engeli'' (Lindner, 1943) *'' Macromeracis epsilon'' James, 197 ...

Flora of the Southwestern United States Cacti of the United States Cacti of Mexico Flora of Mexico