Xerophyte

Central Spines

8-9 very similar to radials, white with darker tips, 5-6 mm long, one erect, others surrounding it. Some plants seen in cultivation have occasional hooked central spines, and these plants are very often those with reddish tinge to the tips of the spines, as though a red-ochre brush has been lightly passed over the plant - a very handsome variation.

Description

Mammillaria schwarziiSN|20939]]SN|31159]] is densely covered with thin, glassy white spines, easily broken. It clusters densely from an early age, making man's-fist sized clumps without much trouble, but it is rarely seen much bigger than this. The small, pale cream-coloured flowers are followed by masses of bright red fruits that contrast nicely with the whitish spination.

Taxonomy

Note that in the name Mammillaria schwarziiSN|31159]]SN|31159]] Shurly there is no a 'T' as in Porfiria schwartzii Frič) K.Crkal (syn

Tubercles

Cylindrical. Axil with up to 12 thin white bristles c. 5 mm long.

Flowers

Predominantly white and smallish (about 12 mm in diameter) with red or pink midstripes to the petals, to 5 mm long.

Stem

Stems globose, to 3 cm high and 3.5 cm in diameter. Without latex.

Radial Spines

35-40, hairlike, shiny white.

Fruits

Red.