All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.

Mammillaria berkiana
This rarely found species is slow growing, but rewards the patient grower with displays of purple flowers.
 

Description: Plants at first solitary or clustering  in the course of time with up to 40 stems.
Stem: Globose, olive-green to dark green, 4 to 6 cm in diameter with latex.
Axil: Without bristles occasionally with scarce wool.
Radial spine: Numerous 35 to 38, widely spreading, up to 6 mm long, the upper up to 4 mm, white, fine, needle-like.
Central spine: 5 to 8, one more central, 2 to 4 hooked and 10 mm long, the others 4 to 5 mm long and straight, red-brown, whitish at base.
Roots: Taproots.
Flower: Bell shaped, deep set, dark purple-pink, not widely opening, to 10 mm in diameter. Perianth-segments oblong, obtuse. Stigmas purple.
Fruit: Club-shaped, 15 - 20 mm long, whitish to pink.
Seed: Black.
Flowering season: Autumn-winter to spring, the flowers remain open for five or six days, exceptionally more.
 

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Scientific name:  Mammillaria berkiana A.B.Lau
In: Kakt. and Sukk. 37(2): 30-33 1986

Origin:  Nayarit, Sierra Huichol , Jalisco, Mexico.

Habitat:  It is a cliff-dwelling species that grows among rocks on hillsides at an altitude from 1.800 to 2.400 m

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

Synonyms:  

• Mammillaria mercadensis Patoni
  In: Boletin, Alianza Cientifica Universal, Durango 1: 54. 1910

Cultivation: Requires excellent drainage provided by porous cactus soil (With not less than 50% grit content). We suggest repotting every 2-3 years. Prefers bright light and ample airflow. Outside full sun or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun.  Water should be carefully applied and only when the soil is dry to the touch, as fits this cliff-dwelling species. Allow soil to drain thoroughly before watering again. Do not water in the winter (Rot prone).  Protect from frost. But it's hardy to -5°C if kept dry. During the beautiful season enrich the soil using a fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorous, but poor in nitrogen, because this chemical element doesn’t help the development of succulent plants, making them too soft and full of water. This rarely found species is slow growing, but rewards the patient grower with displays of small dark pink flowers. Winter rest is important to stimulate flowering. Use small sized pots.

Propagation: Direct sow after last frost or cuttings.

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Mammillaria mercadensis complex (This Taxon has lots of synonyms ( like many other cacti) whit several controversial varieties and subspecies and comprises a multitude of different forms):

• Mammillaria berkiana (Mammillaria mercadensis)
• Mammillaria pennispinosa (Mammillaria mercadensis)

All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.