Xerophyte

Central Spines

4-5, needle-like, yellowish brown, 4-7 mm long, the lower longer, straight or slightly curving, grey-brown with darker tips.

Seeds

Dark brown or black.

Description

It is a tiny solitary plant most of it is underground with a large tapering tap root at least five times the height of the stem above the ground.

Axils

Naked.

Roots

Tuberous, long and thick up to 10 cm long or more.

Note

It has been variously allied to Mammillaria uncinata, Mammillaria heyderiSN|20805]]SN|20805]] as well as Mammillaria lloydii. However it appears to be a quite distinct plant.

Tubercles

Widely separated, conical.

Flowers

Funnelform 18-20 mm long, 20-24 mm in diameter, white, pink striped of a size somewhat larger than of many others of the genus. Stigmas yellow.

Blooming Season

It is one of the earlier flowering Mammillarias that start flowering in March.

Stem

Flattened globose, blue-green, 1-3 cm tall, 2,5-5,5 in diameter.

Radial Spines

This plant has only central spines.

Fruits

Pear shaped, red, 7 - 10 mm long.