The name is from Greek koryphé, extremity and anthos, flower,
since flowers appear in the extremity of the plant. This genus has
about 60 representatives from the southwest of the United States and
the northwest of Mexico. Many authors consider Coryphantha like Mammillaria,
although plants from this genus are distinguished from Mammillaria
by the flowers that are born from the apex of the stem and by the
light furrow in the upper part of tubercles.
Plans from this genus develop a strong napiform root, so they do better
if pots are big enough. Most of the species have yellow flowers, but
there are also red and roses.
