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Mammillaria longimamma forma cristata

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The lemon yellow flowers are very large for this genus (6 cm in diameter ) and are produced in abundance in summer.
 

The cause of cresting: The cause of cresting is not fully explainedBiologists disagree as to why some plants grow in this unusual form.  Some speculate that it is a genetic mutation. Others say it is the result of a strike of lightning  or freeze damage, but whatever the stimulus, the growth point of the stem has switched from a geometric point, to a line, which folds and undulates as the crest expands. Though these crested M. longimamma are very rare, cresting occurs naturally, and can be encountered in many other cactus species.

Description: This is a very nice crested Mammillaria,  easily recognizable for its long soft fresh green tubercle.
Stem: Very fat (quite large for a crested plant ( 8 to 10 cm  thick) it can form in age a large convoluted mound.
Spines: 8 to 10  all quite similar in shape, thin, needle like, yellow to amber coloured up to 20 mm long, of which one central spine slightly longer (up to 25 mm long)
Flowers:
Very large for this genus, 4-6 cm. long, 4.5-6 cm. wide with bright yellow petals in May-July.

Cultivation: The grafted plants are easy to grow and will form a large brain-like mounds  with age.  Watering during the active growing season (spring and summer); this will encourage steady growth, and prevent the large tubercles from becoming flabby.
The plants on their own roots  has fairly large tuberose roots, and should be kept in a deep pot with a very draining mineral substrate. But be particularly careful with watering, which all thick rooted species require (rot sensitive). Keep dry during the winter rest, when the plant may pull near the surface of the potting mix.

Propagation: Grafting or stem cutting.

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Mammillaria longimamma:

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

Photo gallery MAMMILLARIA


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Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family) 

Scientific name:  Mammillaria longimamma A. P. de Candolle 1828. forma cristata

Origin:  Mexico (Hidalgo, Querétaro between 1000 and 2200m altitude)

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.


The flowers are quite  large for this genus (4-6 cm. long, 4.5-6 cm. wide with bright yellow petals in May-July)

 



The name "longimamma" comes from the Latin for "long nipple" which refers to the tubercles of the plant which are very pronounced.
 

Home | E-mail | Plant files | Mail Sale Catalogue | Links | Information | Search

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.