Xerophyte

Central Spines

Spines usually absent.

Seeds

Small brown.

Description

Mammillaria magnimammaSN|4288]]SN|4288]] is a perennial stem succulent solitary at first, later branching basally (or dichotomously) to form large mounds up to 50 cm in diameter (or more) barely rising above ground level. This species is very variable and has received many names. In particular the spines are of variable shape and length, occasionally they are very long (up to 5 cm long).

Tubercles

Conic-pyramidal as long or longer than broad, about 10 mm tall, firm, four-sided but not sharply angled, with latex, flowering axils with dense white wool, especially when young.

Flowers

Dirty white, creamy-yellow or tinged brown with reddish midveins, to deep purplish pink, 20-25 mm wide and long and in diameter.

Blooming Season

Mid spring.

Stem

Flattened globose to globose, grey-green to dark blue-green, 10-13 cm in diameter and up to 30 cm tall.

Radial Spines

(1-)2-5(-6), sometimes more, extremely variable, unequal, awl shaped, whitish to yellowish, with dark tips, 3-45 mm long, lower one longer up to 5 cm long, stronger than the others and more or less curving downward.

Fruits

Club shaped, dark purplish red, to 20 mm long, sticking straight out from the stem.