Home | E-mail | Photo gallery | Dictionary | Search

 

Mammillaria albiflora
(Syn: Mammillaria herrerae var. albiflora)

 

CACTUSPEDIA       

 


Albiflora in Latin means "white flowering".
 

Description: it is a small cactus, usually solitary, globular or cylindrical (clusters of stems can be seen in cultivation)
Stem:
Somewhat cylindrical, slender, about 2 cm wide and 5-7 cm high, obscured by the spines. Stem and tubercles without latex.  The axil is naked.
Spines: 60-80 radial spines (less than in M. herrerae which has 100 or more),
white, fine and interlacing.  No central spines.
Roots: Taproot
Flower: 3,5 cm long and wide, white (rarely with a pinkish flush when grown in full sun).  Flowering period (in Europe): April-May
Fruit: Whitish, retained within the spines, but not within the plant body. (see: cryptocarpy)
Seeds: Black.
 

.
.

.

Scientific Name: Mammillaria albiflora   
Published in: Blatt. Kaktenf. 1937(2): 1037

Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Series: Lasiacanthae

Distribution: South of Pozos, Guanajuato, Mexico (Calera and road from Pozos to San Jose Iturbide) at 50 or more km from the habitat of M herrerae.

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

Habitat: It grows at 2150-2200 m in altitude.

Synonyms:

  • Mammillaria herrerae var. albiflora Werdermann
    In:
    Notizbl.Bot. Gart. Mus. Berlin 11:277 (1931)

  •  Neomammillaria herrerae var. albiflora

  •  Escobariopsis albiflora

 



Cultivation: This plant is not famous for being easy to cultivate, but in good conditions with excellent ventilation, it grows without difficulty.  It is especially sensitive to over-watering.  So careful watering and an open
mineral potting soil are a must.  Avoid the use of peat or other humus sources in the potting mixture, and eventually add some limestone. Can be sensitive to frost (but if dry they are resistant to -5° C).  It requires maximum sun exposure to reach its full potential, and  to achieve success in flowering.  A winter rest that allows the plant to shrivel (perhaps losing up to 25% of its summer height) will encourage flowering and long time survival. Be careful to encourage slow growth. Provide very good ventilation.

Propagation: Direct sow after last frost. (it usually doesn't produces offsets).

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of M.

 

Photo gallery: Alphabetical listing of Cactus and Succulent pictures published in this site.

Photo gallery MAMMILLARIA

 

 

Home | E-mail | Photo gallery | Dictionary | Search