Mexican pincushion

Description

Mammillaria magnimamma, common name Mexican Pincushion, is a species of plant in the Cactaceae family. Mammillaria magnimamma is a perennial globose plant reaching a height of 15-30 cm and a diameter of about 13 cm. At first it grows solitary, but later form large clumps rising above ground level. Tubercules are four-sided, with latex and the axils have dense white wool. The radial spines are 2 - 5, quite variable and unequal, with dark tips, 15 - 45 mm long. Flowers are pink or white cream with reddish midveins and a diameter of 20 - 25 mm. They are blooming in mid Spring. Fruits are club shaped, dark red, about 20 mm long and contain little brown seeds. This species is widespread throughout central Mexico, at an elevation of 100–2,700 metres (330–8,860 ft) above sea level.