Mammillaria lenta
Zoe v. 194 (1904).
Family
Cactaceae
Genus
Species
Mammillaria lenta
Author
K.Brandegee
Chinese genus
乳突球属
Chinese name
-
DescriptionEdit description
Central Spines
Absent.
Seeds
Dull black, diameter approx 1 mm.
Description
Mammillaria lentaSN|1132]]SN|1132]] is a very slow growing succulent that branches basally to form quite large flat-topped mounds of off-white to white with age. Some plants will begin to offset when just a few cm across, while others are more reluctant to produce offsets. Slower growing than the somewhat similar M. plumosa.
Roots
Large, tuberous.
Flowers
Produces rings of large pure white flowers with a purplish-pinkish stripe, 20(-25) mm long and 25 mm in diameter. Stigmas are a bright olive-green. Perianth segment pointed.
Blooming Season
April/May. Flowering may be reluctant unless it is placed in a warm position with high light levels.
Stem
Flattened globular (or small columnar in cultivation) without latex., almost hidden by the white delicate spines, bright green to yellow green, typically (3-) 5 to 10 cm in diameter, 1 – 2 (or more) cm high. Offsets may be produced low on the plant, or unusually high near the growing tip.
Radial Spines
30 - 40, dense, fine, soft and close together giving the effect of looking like a bird's nest glassy white to slightly yellow, 3 - 7 mm long.
Fruits
Clavate, red, up to 10 mm long.
Areoles
Naked.Parastichy number