Xerophyte

Habit

Plants usually solitary with a succulent tap root. With age it may offset from the base to form a small cluster.

Central Spines

Usually absent, sometimes one, straight, curved or hooked, orange-tan with brown tips, to 3 mm long.

Description

Mammillaria magallaniiSN|9075]]SN|9244]] is a small slow growing species with tight white spines that look like a little golf ball. It has attractive little creamy brown blooms and red fruit, and is similar to Mammillaria lasiacanthaSN|9244]]SN|9075]]. The most striking feature is the dense addpressed, white spination it possesses, 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.

Tubercles

Short-cylindrical, without latex. Axils with few wool. Parastichy number

Flowers

Cream coloured with pinkish-red to brownish mid-stripes, to 10 mm long and in diameter.

Blooming Season

Early spring.

Radial Spines

70-75, interlacing, 2 - 5 mm long, chalky white to very pale pinkish-brown which are sometimes pinkish or orange-tan towards the growing point

Fruits

Red and very showy.