Mammillaria

They are one of the largest genuses & are very popular in cultivation. Mainly the range is between southwestern US to Mexico however others are found in the West Indies to northern South America.

The size of some grows to less than 1" whereas others cluster growing to 1' wide. The flowers are small & in rings near the crown & often last for a few weeks. The length of the spines can be varied & also hooked or covered with hair.

The name is derived from a Latin word, mammilla, which more or less means nipple & it relates to the way tubercle shape of the cacti.

Mammillaria bocasana has a common name as Powder Puff due to its white, hair spines. It's found in Mexico & can tolerate temperatures down to -7 degress centigrade.

I've taken a few cuttings of Mammillaria gracilis & with a bit of luck, I'll have a few, which will show their yellow flowers.

As you'll see by size of the pictured Mammillaria gracilis Arizona Snowcap, it's relatively young. It's a variant of M. gracilis & I think by the other part of the name you can guess where it comes from.

I can't say any more than this cactus is Mammillaria demispina & as shown in the picture it's got white spines.

Mammillaria elongata is commonly known as either Golden Stars or Lady Fingers. Their natural habitat is central Mexico.

When it comes to temperature, the minimum they should have is 10 degrees Centigrade, which obviously means if kept in a greenhouse, a heater will be required. As seen, they clump & if they are used as cuttings those are easily grow.

This Mammillaria lahata is another cactus that has got me. All I can say is its got small white spines & clusters.

Mammillaria marksiana in wild can grow to 4" however in cultivation it can double in size. It shouldn't be watered from above as it would ruin the fine wool.

I don't have a great deal of information on Mammillaria microhelia but I'm aware that its natural habitat is in Mexico & its temperature can drop to -4 degrees centigrade.

A picture is to follow however Mammillaria plumosa is covered with white hair & it clusters. The flowers are yellow with them showing in the spring.

They're found in Mexico & due to the location the cacti can survive if the temperature drops to minus 10 degrees centigrade.

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