Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Mammillaria parkinsonii

Body: Plants solitary at first, later branching dichotomously. Stems depressed globose to cylindrical, blue-green, to 15 cm (5.9 in) high, 10 - 15 cm (3.9 - 5.9 in) in diameter.

Radial spine: 30 or more, fine, white, slightly curved, 4 - 6 mm (0.2 in) long.

Central spine: 2 - 5, usually curved slightly downwards, stiff, whitish with dark tips, upper ones 6 - 8 mm (0.2 - 0.3 in) long, lower ones to 38 mm (1.5 in) long.

Flower: Pale yellow with red midveins, 12 - 15 mm (0.5 - 0.6 in) long and in diameter.

Seed: Brown.Flowering period in Cultivation (Europe):

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to at least 25°F (-4°C)

Minimum Avg. Temperature: 50°F (10°C)

Sun Exposure: Light shade

Origin: Queretaro, Mexico.

Comments: One of the species with the capability of forming very large clumps. In order to keep the clumps tightly formed, high light levels and steady growth are needed; otherwise there is the danger of having a number of elongated heads that are somewhat separated from one another. This species is especially variable in spine length.

Synonymes: M. auriareolis M. cadereytensis M. dietrichiae M. neocrucigera M. parkinsonii var dietrichiae M. rosensis

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