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Mammillaria is arguably the most popular cactus genus in cultivation. Mammillarias have extremely variable spination from species to species, and eye-catching flowers, making them specifically attractive for cactus hobbyists. Most Mammillaria plants are considered easy to cultivate. The genus Mammillaria is one of the largest in the Cactaceae family, with currently over 200 known species and varieties recognized. Mammillarias are native to Mexico, southwest USA, the Caribbean, Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala and Honduras. The first was described by Carolus Linnaeus as Cactus mammillaris in 1753, deriving its name from Latin mammilla, "nipple", referring to the tubercles that are one of the plant's specific features.
In 1812, the cactus specialist Adrian Haworth described the genus Mammillaria to contain this and related species. Numerous species are commonly known as nipple cactus, fishhook cactus or pincushion though such y also be used for related taxa such as Escobaria. Mammillaria species can be grown as pot plants and make interesting features on a sunny veranda or windowsill. They also make an attractive addition to a rockery or water-wise garden. The variation in spines is a novel selling feature and often, these plants fit the stereotypical expectations that most people have for a cactus plant, although some species are only going to be found among highly-dedicated cactus growers. The popularity of this genus has led to a good deal of study and consequent literature on both growing and identifying Mammillaria species. Mammillaria elegans syn. Mammillaria haageana ssp. elegans and Mammillaria collina occurs naturally in open grassy areas in Puebla, Mexico at altitudes of about 2300 m. It is a solitary species rarely forming offshoots. The stems have a globose growth habit reaching diameters of up to 8 cm. Younger plants have a woolly apex. They have 1 or 2 central spines, brown or grey in colour and about 5 to 8 mm long, surrounded by 16 to 18 white radial spines of 1 to 5 mm in length. The flowers are deep pink to red followed by reddish fruits. |