Xerophyte

Habit

It is a simple or eventually clustering perennial cactus .

Central Spines

Up to12 straight, stiff, stout, white, tapering red-brown, almost black at tips, up to 25 mm long, of which 1erect 5 others ascending and other speading.

Description

Mammilloydia candidaSN|9012]]SN|9012]] subs. ortizrubiona (Mammillaria ortizrubiona) is an nice cactus species characterized by a so dense spination, that its body appears almost hidden by spines.It distinguishes from the satandard Mammilloydia candida for having fewer spines, fewer and larger tubercles, long axillary hairs and paler flowers.

Note

Mammilloydia are clearly related to the genus Mammillaria, but their unique seed structure and other anomalies indicates that their overall resemblance to Mammillaria is due to convergence and are usually recognized as segregate genera. However their true relationship remains unclear. So far only two species

Tubercles

Conical eounded on top, not grooved,at base 15 mm broad, and 15-18 mm long, axils with stout white bristles.

Flowers

Flowers and fruit from near the centre but not from the axils of young tubercles. Funnel form 35 mm high and 30 mm in diameter. Perianth-segments greenish white with a pale pink midstripe. Pericarpels and floral tubes naked.

Blooming Season

Spring.

Spines

50-80 in several series, up to 19 mm long, glabrous or nearly so, not clearly differentiated as centrals and radials or.

Stem

Spherical, eventually short-cylindric at maturity, dull grey green up to 8 cm high and 8-15 cm cm wide, crown distinctly depressed or flat and closed by spines.

Radial Spines

Less than 60, white, straight, thin, very fine acicular, flexible, spreading star-like around the areole, up to 2,5 cm long.

Fruits

Clavate, red, juicy, indehiscent, 10 mm in diameter and 15 mm long, with perianth persistent.