Mammillaria bocasana

Mammillaria bocasana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Mammillaria
Species: M. bocasana
Binomial name
Mammillaria bocasana
Poselg., 1853

Mammillaria bocasana is a species of cactus in the subfamily Cactoideae. It is often sold as a "powder puff" cactus,[1] and also as a "Powder Puff Pincushion."[2] The plant is protected from collecting in the wild in Mexico.[3]

Habitat

In its natural habitat of Northern central Mexico, it is found between 1650–2300 meters above sea level.[2] It grows on canyon walls, in volcanic rock and in semi-desert environs, often under bushes of native plants.[2] It has been listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species since 2009.[3]

Description

M. bocasana is hemispherical in shape. It has "white, hair-like spines" that cover up its radial and hooked central spines.[1] During the spring and summer, it bears several cream-colored flowers.[4] Later it bears a red cylindrical fruit that contains reddish-brown seeds which display partially lateral hilum.[5] Its form can be variable, with many different varieties or subspecies.[2]

Cultivation

M. bocasana can be propagated from seed.[1] As it grows, it offsets, creating large mounds.[4] This cactus is prone to rot and can tolerate temperatures of -7 degrees Celsius (20 degrees Fahrenheit) for short amounts of time.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Anderson, Miles (2008). The Complete Illustrated Guide to Growing Cacti & Succulents. London: Lorentz Books. p. 84. ISBN 9780754818427.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Mammillaria bocasana Poselg". Encyclopedia of Cacti. Encyclopedia of Living forms. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Mammillaria bocasana". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  4. 1 2 Hewitt, Terry (2013). Cacti. London: Anness Publishing Limited. p. 32. ISBN 9781780192840.
  5. ↑ "Mammillaria bocasana ssp bocasana". Mammillarias.net. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
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