Mammillarias.net

Mammillaria baumii

First description by Boedeker, Zeitschr. Sukkulentenk. 2:238 (1926)

Body: Plants forming dense clusters with the stems obscured by spines. Stems subglobose to ovoid, 5 - 7 cm (2 - 2.8 in) high, 13 - 15 cm in diameter.

Roots:

Sap: without latex.

Tubercule arrangement:

Tubercule: Soft, cylindrical to short conical.

Axil: Woolly at first, later naked.

Radial spine: 30 - 50, very thin, flexible, interlacing, white, to 15 mm (0.6 in) long.

Central spine: 5 - 11, slender, needle-like, straight, whitish yellow, 10 - 18 mm (0.4 - 0.7 in) long.

Flower: Broad funnelform, bright yellow, scented, 25 - 30 mm (1 - 1.2 in) long and in diameter. Stigmas green.

Fruit: Oblong to ovoid, gray-green.

Seed: Brown, pitted.

Flowering period in Cultivation (Europe): May, June

Minimum temperature: -4° C

Habitat Substrate: Usually under bushes, also in shady rocky fissures on densely wooded hills.

Geographic Distribution: Tamaulipas, Mexico. Altitude 700 - 1.800 m.

Comments: In spite of its preference for shade in the wild, in culture, good exposure to shunshine will favour good spine development. An easy grown species which will benefit from high levels of light and temperature. If grown correctly, it will reward the grower with generous displays of yellow flowers. Clumps will be formed quite readily over a few years.

Bibliography: <br>John Pilbeam (1999) - Mammillaria The Cactus File Handbook - page 46. Edward F. Anderson (2001) - The Cactus Family - page 407.

Synonymes: <br>Dolichethele baumii <br>M. radiaissima