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  Mammillaria maritima
(Syn: Cochemiea maritima)
CACTUSPEDIA       

 


Mammillaria maritima
It is rarely grown in the collections even if it was discovered 50 years ago.
 

Description: Clumping cactus, irregularly  forming clusters up to 1 m across or more.
Stems:
20 to 50 cm long, 7 cm in diameter
, cylindrical, narrow, eventually clumping near the base of the plant, somewhat jointed, initially erect then procumbent sometimes trailing and densely spiny. Glaucous-green then grey and corky in age but often reddish if grown in full light,
Tubercles: Conical or slightly flattened laterally, woolly when young.
Areoles: At first bearing grey wool then naked.
Radial spines: 10 to15, reddish brown, acicular up to 12 mm long.
Central spines: 4 reddish brown the upper three ascending, spreading, 1-2 cm long, straight. The lowermost stronger, longer and hooked 3 – 5 cm long.
Roots:
Fibrous or moderately thickened.
Flowers:
Produced near the plants tip from axils of tubercles , long, scarlet, 3-4 cm long, 2 cm wide. zygomorphic with a long hypanthium, segment flaring and tips reflexed, style as twice as corolla, stamens exerted half as far as style, filaments and anthers red.
Blooming season: March - April.
Fruits: Red, obovoid or globose.
Seeds: 0,5 mm long, black minutely pitted.
Remarks:
Cochemiea pondii has thinner and several hooked spines per areole while Cochemiea maritima has usually only one hooked spine per areole.
 

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Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Scientific name:  Cochemiea maritima G. E Lindsay
Published In: Cactus and Succulent Journal 8(9): 144, f. s.n. (p. 144). 1937. (Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles))

Origin Mexico: endemic to Pacific coast of the peninsula Baja California (Approx from Punta blanca to punta rosalia, west of Punta prieta)

Habitat:   Grows in non calcareous rocks on slopes and rocky marine cliffs.

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

Synonyms:  

  • Cochemiea maritima Shurly
    In: Cact. Jour. [British] 4:12, 1935. Nomen nudum.
  • Mammillaria maritima (G.E. Linds.) D. R. Hunt 1971
  • Mammillaria pondii ssp. maritima (G.E. Linds.) D.R. Hunt
    In: Mammillaria Postscripts 6: 5. 1997.



 

Cultivation: This plant isn't 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.
Don't add limestone to the potting mix
, which must be moderately acidic.  Can be sensitive to frost.  Requires
maximum sun exposure to reach its full potential. and in order to achieve success in flowering.
A winter rest that allows the plant to shrivel will encourage flowering and long term survival.  Be careful to encourage slow growth.

Propagation: Seeds or offsets.

 

 

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

Photo gallery MAMMILLARIA

 

 

 

 

 

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