Xerophyte

Central Spines

7-14, mostly needle-like, radiating, ascending, white, yellow, reddish brown or brown, 10-20 mm long, one of which is pointing downward and more or less hooked, all others straight.

Seeds

Brownish-black.

Description

Mammillaria marcosiiSN|9327]]SN|9327]] is a small cactus that readily forms irregular clumps with dense spination. In habitat the clumps may grow up to 25 cm in diameter, with up to 30 heads. The spines are bicoloured (usually red and white, but they may occur in a wide range of colours).

Note

This member of the Cactaceae family was given this name in by the Mexican cactus grower Marcos Sierra Pichardo from the city of San Miguel de Allende, who discovered the species.

Tubercles

Soft, cylindrical, with round tips. In the axil there is wool and up to 15 bristles, up to 15 mm long.

Flowers

Bell shaped, to 15 mm long and up to 10 mm in diameter, not rising above the spines, yellowish or creamy-white, with pink throat and darker pinkish midrib, stigma pale yellow.

Stem

Low, round to short cylindrical, up to 5 cm in diameter. Without latex.

Radial Spines

16-25, radiating, needle-like, straight, 4-12 mm long.

Fruits

Red, egg-shaped, 6 - 13 mm long, not arising above the spines.