Pediocactis winkleri

This tiny cactus in nature looks nothing like tall or multi-headed blobs often seen in cultivation, when grown on grafts. Plants grow in gravely sand and barely reaching above the ground level. Plants are locally abundant, but threatened by cattle ranching in this area. Cows plow this gentle soils with they hoofs into complete obviation that will require decades to recover.

Echinocereus engelmannii

The very unusual blooms on this plant drew my attention. The 'petals' are very short, making it look like peony flower.

Echinocereus triglochidiatus gonacanthus

Dramatic plants at White Sands NM - also known as 'White Sands form', despite been common all the way North to Albuquerque. The thick-stemmed plants are about two feet tall, and at the time of my visit were about to burst with blooms.

Pediocactus bradyi

This photograph was taken in Marble Canyon, at one of the better known locations of this tiny cactus. The crack-open seed pod is full of large seeds, about the same size as Astrophytum seeds.
The small plants look very similar to juvenile Pediocactus simpsony plants, neat and tidy.

Echinomastus intertextus

Echinomastus intertextus near Tucson AZ. Note the petals that were eaten by some rodent (rabbit?)

Pediocactus paradinei

This Pediocactus species occurs on limited area of Kaibab plateau, but locally common. Most often the plants are growing under and inside the small bushes and are very hard to spot. 

Mammillaria heyderi

Mammillaria heyderi grows near Douglas, AZ, on volcanic soil. The plants in this area are very flat, most often level with the ground, unless found in shady area. This is a good example of a natural look to be desired for this species in horticulture.