Scientific Name
Mammillaria backebergiana 'Albiflora' (informal name)
Accepted Scientific Name
Mammillaria backebergiana F.G. Buchenau
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Subtribe: Cactinae
Genus: Mammillaria
Etymology
The generic name "Mammillaria" (pronounced "mam-mil-AR-ee-uh") means "nipple-bearing" and refers to the distinctive nipple-like tubercles that cover the stems of the plants within this genus.
The specific epithet "backebergiana" (pronounced "bah-keh-ber-JEE-ah-nah") honors Curt Backeberg🡕 (1894–1966), a German horticulturist especially known for the collection and classification of cacti.
The cultivar epithet 'Albiflora' (pronounced "al-BIH-flor-uh") means "white-flowered" and refers to the color of the flowers of this plant.
Origin of Mammillaria backebergiana 'Albiflora'
Mammillaria backebergiana 'Albiflora' is a white-flowering form of Mammillaria backebergiana selected in cultivation.
Description for Mammillaria backebergiana 'Albiflora'
Mammillaria backebergiana 'Albiflora' is an attractive small cactus with green stems covered with conical tubercles, each tipped with a cluster of yellow or brownish-yellow spines. The stems can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall and 2.4 inches (6 cm) in diameter, at first spherical, becoming cylindrical with age.
The flowers are white, funnel-shaped, and can reach up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) in length and 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) in diameter. They appear in a ring near the top of the stem during the spring.
How to Grow and Care for Mammillaria backebergiana 'Albiflora'
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25°F (-3.9°C) to 50°F (10°C).
To encourage better flowering, allow the plants to enjoy a cooling period in the winter and suspend watering. Unlike many other cacti, which use their ribs as storage devices, the Mammillaria feature raised tubercles, from which spines emerge. When you water, the tubercles will expand for increased water storage. The flowers emerge from the axils of these tubercles on the previous year's growth, which accounts for their interesting halo effect. The cactus mustn't be exposed to prolonged dampness and standing water. Never let your cactus sit in a dish of water. Lastly, ensure fertilizer during the growing season for the best results.
Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a cactus, ensure the soil is dry, then gently remove the pot. Next, remove the old soil from the roots, removing any rotted or dead roots.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Mammillaria.
Links
- Back to genus Mammillaria
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
