Xerophyte

Central Spines

2, much stouter than the radials, 2 mm long or less.

Seeds

Rather large, black.

Description

Mammillaria formosaSN|15836]]SN|15832]] subs. microthele is a low-growing flattened plants, clumping with tight, short white spines which forms low, many-headed, mounds in time. Some authors consider Mammillaria formosaSN|15832]]SN|15832]] subs. microthele to be sufficiently distinct to deserve its own formal status

Note

The so called “superfina” is a particular nice selected form with even more small tubercles and spines.

Tubercles

About 6 mm long, naked or woolly in their axils.

Flowers

Small (3-5 mm) long in a ring around the sides of the stem, nearly pure white to flesh-coloured without, white within.

Blooming Season

Flowers are produced in spring over a several weeks period.

Stem

Almost discoidal to globose, apically depressed, dividing dichotomously, each stem are up to 6 cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

22-24 tiny, white-setiform, spreading, 2 to 4 mm long that almost obscure the stem.

Fruits

Clavate, 10 (or more) mm long.