Xerophyte

Habit

It is a soft small solitary or clustering cactus, with the stems obscured by spines.

Central Spines

1-6, slender, needle-like, reddish brown to yellow, 8 - 25 mm (0.3 - 1 in) long, one hooked.

Description

Mammillaria guelzowianaSN|17337]]SN|5405]] is a well known species characterized by bright magenta flower about 6 cm in diameter - very large for a Mammillaria! The double-flowered form (Mammillaria guelzowiana cv. Double FlowerSN|5405]]SN|17337]]) - despite to its beauty - is still very rare and sought after by collectors for its unique flower-features among cacti. It is in fact one of the few double-flowerd cacti known, in its flowers some of the stamens are replaced by extra petals giving rise to an extraordinary huge magenta flower.

Tubercles

Conical to cylindrical, flabby. The axil is naked.

Flowers

Bell shaped to broadly funnel-form in which extra petals are present, giving blooms a full or doubled appearance. Bright pink to intense magenta with light scent, to 4 cm long and 7 cm in diameter.

Blooming Season

June/July

Stem

Globose depressed apically, 4-10 cm in diameter up to 7 cm high. Without latex.

Radial Spines

60-80, many white hair-like, with some other tan stiff radials, twisted, smooth, to 15 mm long.