Xerophyte

Central Spines

Usually absent, rarely a single, rudimentary, slightly protruding central spine is recognizable from the horizontal radial spines.

Seeds

Roundish, 1.1 mm long, 0.8 mm wide and 0.8 mm thick, dull black.

Taxonomy

The authors of the new description, Linzen, ten Hoeve et Martínez-Ávalos, have placed this species in the Series Herrerae, along with Mammillaria sanchez-mejoradaeSN|32496]]SN|10779]] and Mammillaria roemeriSN|32495]]SN|14981]].

Roots

Thick taproots, fleshy, large in upper portion.

Note

The name 'hermosana' is derived both from the nearby village of Vista Hermosa, located along the Zacarecas - Saltillo road, and simultaneously in the double meaning of the Spanish word 'hermosa' = pretty.

This is a very distinctive little species with small round shaped stems, thick fleshy roots and dense, pectinate spination which serve to protect it from the harsh sun common to its native habitat. More precisely the spines benefit the plant by reducing sun exposure and by trapping a layer of air next to the cactus body. This helps to cool the plant in the summer and keep it warm in the winter. The outstanding, bright coloured blooms are followed by fruit partially embedded in the pant body.

Tubercles

Cylindrical, 5-6 mm long, 2 mm in diameter, green.

Stem

Single, flatten globular, to 35 mm across, 2-10 mm tall, becoming round to ovoid in culture.

Radial Spines

22-30, acicular-bristly, white to off-white, 1.5-2.5 mm long, pectinate, flattened against the stem surface or somewhat spreading in several planes and interlacing.

Fruits

In two forms

Areoles

Oblong, 1-2 mm long. Axils bare.