Xerophyte

Central Spines

1- 4(-6), mostly 4, needle-like, firmer than the radials, ascending,divergent, straight , rigid, non-uncinate, the lowest is the longest, 4-7 mm long, glassy white, white to yellowish with short brown tips.

Description

Mammillaria albilanataSN|15150]]SN|15150]] subs. oaxacana is a usually solitary cactus species, with flat stems. It protects itself from the sun by an extremely dense profusion of white spines and wool so that the epidermis is almost completely concealed.

Taxonomy

Mammillaria albilanataSN|15150]]SN|15150]] subs. oaxacana is a new name proposed by Hunt (1997) which replaces M. ignota Repp. (1987), that is a homonym of another previously published name (M. ignota Lawrence in Loudon, 1841).

Phenology

Flowering between February and May. Fruiting between May and July.

Roots

Fibrous.

Tubercles

Tubercles are spirally arranged, short-conical to conical, firm, 8 - 10 mm long and 4-5 mm in diameter at base. Axil with abundant white wool.

Flowers

Funnel shaped carmine-pink, cherry red to pink, 12-18 mm long, stigmas greenish.

Blooming Season

From early March to June.

Stem

Simple, depressed globose to cylindrical, sunken apically, covered with spines and white wool, 3–7 cm high and 4–10 cm in diameter. With latex.

Radial Spines

20-22 (-27), needle-like, somewhat bristly, glassy white to white, smooth, straight, somewhat radiating, horizontal, 4 mm long.

Fruits

Red, ripens 6-8 months after flowering, 10-20 mm long and 3-4 mm in diameter.