Brains Cactus - Mammillaria elongata cristata Plants - Live Succulent Plants - Cactus Cacti

Mammillaria elongata cristata Plants

Mammillaria elongata cristata is a native of Central Mexico. This is a morphological variant of the species Mammillaria elongata. The distinct morphology of this cactus and other plants with cristate or crested growth is caused by an apical meristem gone wrong. The shoot apical meristem is the place of growth that elongates the plant, making it grow. It's located at the growing tip or apex of plants. In the case of this cristate variant, the apical meristem no longer performs cell division from a single point. Instead, the formation of new tissue occurs as cells divide laterally from an elongated meristem.

Above are photos of the actual plant which is 90mm in diameter.