Xerophyte

Central Spines

1-5, stouter, about 10-20 mm long, thin, acicular, nearly erect, straight, variable, light to dark reddish brown with darker tips.

Seeds

2 mm long, black.

Description

Mammillaria deherdtianaSN|5387]]SN|5387]] var. dodsonii is a high-altitude form, similar in shape and size to the species but with fewer and longer radial spines. Usually solitary in the wild it clumps readily in cultivation. The flowers are very showy and could well be valued and cultivated by the sophisticated Mammillaria fanciers.

Parastichy Number

The var. dodsonii has a lower tubercle spiral count 5-8 (usually 8-13 in the standard species)

Roots

Fibrous, lacking the tuberous tap-root commonly seen in its closer relatives.

Tubercles

Prominent, conical, axil usually naked without latex.

Flowers

Especially beautiful, long funnel-form, up 4 cm wide. Sepals lanceolate, deep brilliant red-violet. Floral tube very long up to 2 cm long. Filaments pink, anthers golden yellow. Style pink, stigmas white.

Blooming Season

Spring.

Stem

Spherical-flattened, densely covered by spines, to 3(-4) cm tall 4-5 cm wide, crown depressed or flat.

Radial Spines

20-21, the lowest longest, up to 20 mm long, aciculate, very thin, curved, glassy white.

Fruits

Globose 3 to 4 mm diameter half embedded in stems, pale green.

Areoles

White felted.