Scientific Name
Mammillaria mazatlanensis K.Schum. ex Gürke
Synonym(s)
Mammillaria littoralis, Mammillaria mazatlanensis subsp. mazatlanensis, Mammillaria mazatlanensis var. monocentra, Neomammillaria sinaloensis
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Subtribe: Cactinae
Genus: Mammillaria
Origin
This species is native to Mexico. It occurs along the pacific coast, from southern Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, to Michoacán.
Description
Mammillaria mazatlanensis is a small cactus that forms clusters of many greyish-green cylindrical stems with cone-shaped tubercles and clusters of white and reddish-brown spines at the tip of each tubercle. The stems grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall and up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. Each areole bears 1 to 6 central spines and 12 to 18 radial spines. The central spines are reddish-brown, up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) long, usually straight, or sometimes one more or less hooked. The radial spines are white, needle-like, and up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) long. Flowers are funnel-shaped, up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long, and up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. They range from pink, bright purple to carmine red and appear between the old tubercles at the upper part of the stems in summer. Fruits are reddish-yellow or brown, club-shaped, up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long, and contain tiny black seeds.
Etymology
The specific epithet "mazatlanensis (maz-at-lan-EN-sis)" refers to the Mexican city of Mazatlán.
How to Grow and Care for Mammillaria mazatlanensis
Light: Plant this cactus in an area of your garden that receives 4 hours of direct sunlight a day. If you are growing M. mazatlanensis indoors, place it near the brightest window in your home or office to ensure your cactus gets enough light. If possible, place the pot on the balcony or in the garden for extra light from spring to fall.
Soil: M. mazatlanensis requires a soil mix that provides root aeration and good drainage, whether grown outdoors or indoors. Use a commercial cactus potting mix or create your own.
Temperature: This cactus is heat tolerant, but it is not a cold-hardy plant. M. mazatlanensis can withstand temperatures as low as 25 °F (-3.9 °C). USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9b to 11b, 25 to 50 °F (-3.9 to 10 °C).
Watering: From spring to fall, water deeply and wait for the soil to dry out before watering again. Never let the pot sit in water. Suspend watering in the winter.
Fertilizing: M. mazatlanensis can benefit from fertilization during the growing season. Apply a water-soluble fertilizer for cacti and other succulents. Suspend feeding during the winter when the plant goes dormant.
Repotting: Repot every two or three years into a slightly larger pot. The best time to repot your M. mazatlanensis is late winter or early spring, but the repotting process can be done almost any time of the year.
Propagation: There are two easy ways to propagate M. mazatlanensis: by seeds or by dividing offsets. The best time to remove offsets is in spring and summer. Sow the seeds in late spring or summer.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Mammillaria.
Toxicity of Mammillaria mazatlanensis
M. mazatlanensis is considered non-toxic to both humans and pets.
Links
- Back to genus Mammillaria
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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