Mammillarias.net

Mammillaria boolii

First description by Lindsay, Cact. Succ. J. (US) 25(2): 48, fig. 39 (1953)

Body: Plants usually solitary, occasionally clustering. Stems globose to short cylindrical, pale gray-green, to 3.5 cm (1.4 in) high and 3 cm (1.2 in) in diameter.

Roots:

Sap: With latex.

Tubercule arrangement:

Tubercule: Round.

Axil: Naked.

Radial spine: About 20, needle-like, flattened against the stem surface, white, spreading, to 15 mm (0.6 in) long.

Central spine: One, awl-like, strongly hooked, yellow to yellowish brown, with darker tip, 15 - 20 mm (0.6 - 0.8 in) long.

Flower: Pink or lavender pink, to 25 mm (1 in) long and in diameter.

Fruit: Long, club shaped, orange.

Seed: Black.

Flowering period in Cultivation (Europe): May, June , Jully, August, September

Minimum temperature:

Habitat Substrate:

Geographic Distribution: Sonora, Mexico. Altitude sealevel.

Comments: Not one of the easiest species to grow in culture. Need extra gritty substrate (abt. 40% grit). Flowering from 3 cm diameter. A difficult species that requires a winter rest from watering to induce flowering. Careful attention must be paid to watering the rest of the year, as Boolii is especially prone to rotting without warning. Warmth even during winter is appreciated.

Bibliography: <br>John Pilbeam (1999) - Mammillaria The Cactus File Handbook - page 57. <br>Edward F. Anderson (2001) - The Cactus Family - page 409.

Synonymes: