Xerophyte

Central Spines

Typically 1-2, (sometimes absent in subsp. gracilis), reddish brown, straight, stout, needle-like, to 10 mm long.

Description

Mammillaria vetulaSN|9161]]SN|9161]] is a small freely clustering cactus forming flat-topped mounds. Two subspecies are recognized, the nominate subspecies and subsp. gracilis (Pfeiff.) D.R.Hunt.

Tubercles

Main stem tubercles to 8 mm, firm to slightly flabby, bluntly conical, four-sided basally, without latex, axils slightly woolly or naked.

Flowers

Pale yellow or lemon yellow, to 17 mm long.

Blooming Season

Autumn.

Stem

Globose to cylindrical, glossy blue-green, to 10 cm long and 4 cm in diameter, offsets numerous butmore firmly attached than in subsp. gracilis.

Radial Spines

at least 25 at first, later as many as 50, (or only 11-16 in subsp. gracilis), white, thin, straight, needle-like, 3-10(-12) mm long.

Fruits

Whitish to greenish.Seeds. Black.