The following kinds are selected from those known to be in cultivation; of course, it is out of the question here to enumerate all the species known.
M. angularis(angular-tubercled).—A robust kind, with stems 4 in. to 8 in. high, and branching somewhat freely; tubercles prism-shaped, rather thick at the base, and slightly angular, ¼ in. long, their tops tufted with short white spines; at the base of the tubercles are little tufts of white wool. Flowers are only rarely produced by cultivated plants; they are small, tubular, rosy-purple, the stamens yellow. Introduced from Mexico in 1835; flowers in summer. When happily situated, it forms a specimen 1 ft. in diameter, owing to its freely produced arm-like branches, which spread out and curve upwards. It requires a warm greenhouse temperature during winter, and exposure to bright sunshine at all times.
M. applanata(flattened). —In this, the stem is broader than high, and has a squat appearance; tubercles ¾ in. long, cone-shaped, with stellate tufts of straight, hair-like spines, white when young, yellowish when aged. Flowers springing from the outside of the stem-top, white, tinged with red. It is a native of Mexico, and blossoms in summer. A specimen, 6 in. through at the base, may be seen at Kew, where it has been for many years, without altering perceptibly in size. All the larger-stemmed Mamillarias are exceedingly slow growers after they have reached a certain size, although, in the seedling stage, they grow freely. The treatment for this kind should resemble that advised for the last.
M. atrata(blackened).—Stem oval in shape, broad at the base, 4 in. high, unbranched; tubercles swollen, ½ in. long, deep green, cone-shaped, becoming flattened through pressure of growth. Spines set in a tuft of white hairs, falling off from the lowest mammae, as happens in many of the thick-stemmed kinds. Flowers numerous, and developed all round the outside of the stem, stalkless, nestling closely between the tubercles, and when expanded looking like starry buttons of a rosy-pink colour. Native of Chili, flowering in autumn. This species is rare in England, but is worth attention because of the prettiness of its flowers, the attractive form of its stem, and its reputed hardiness. It will thrive in a cold frame, and requires protection from excessive wet only, rather than from cold. Grown in a warm house, it becomes sickly, and is short-lived.
M. bicolor(two-coloured). —One of the commonest of the Cactuses grown in English gardens, and one of the most distinct, owing to its short, silvery hair-like spines, thickly crowded on the ends of the small tubercles, completely hiding the stem from view. The latter is from 6 in. to 1 ft. high, 3 in. in diameter, cylindrical, often branching into several thick arms, when it has a quaint appearance. If kept free from dust, which may be done by covering the plant with a bell glass, there is much beauty in the stem; indeed, it is owing to this, rather than as a flowering Cactus, that this species finds favour as a garden plant. The flowers are less than 1 in. in length and width, stellate, their colour deep purple; they are developed in June. Although a native of elevated regions in Mexico (4000-5000 ft.), this plant thrives best when grown in a warm house. There are several handsome and very old specimens of it in the tropical collection of succulents at Kew. It is one of the easiest to manage, and will thrive in a warm room-window if exposed to bright sunlight and kept dry in winter.M. niveaandM. nobilisare both varieties of this species.
M. chlorantha(greenish-yellow).—A newly-introduced species with erect, cylinder-shaped stems, 6 in. high, clothed with numerous tubercles, which are tipped with clusters of long, silvery, interlacing, hair-like spines, and a few stouter blackish ones. The flowers are described as greenish-yellow, so that they are not likely to add much to the beauty of the plant, which is recommended because of the attractiveness of its stem and spines. It is a native of Mexico and Texas, whence it was introduced some two years ago. It requires cool-house treatment, and should be kept free from dust, which disfigures the white spines.
M. cirrhifera(twisted).—LikeM. bicolor, this species owes its frequent occurrence in gardens to the symmetry and neatly-chiselled form of its stems, and not to any attraction possessed by its flowers. It will thrive anywhere where the sun can shine upon it, if sheltered from severe cold and wet. In a cottage window it may be grown, and kept for many years, without losing health or, on the other hand, increasing much in size. Its usual height is about 5 in., by 4 in. in diameter. The tubercles are angular at the base, and bear tufts of yellowish spines on their pointed apices. The flowers are small, and bright rose-coloured, but only rarely produced on cultivated plants. Introduced from Mexico in 1835.
M. clava(club-shaped); Bot. Mag. 4358.—In the size of its stem, and the large, brightly-coloured flowers it bears, this species may be compared with some of the Echinocactuses. The stem is from 1 ft. to 1½ ft. high, 4 in. wide at the base, narrowing slightly upwards; the tubercles are 1 in. long, and nearly as much through at the base, their shape that of little pyramids, and their tips bear each from eight to eleven stout, straight spines, pale brown, with a little wool at the base. The flowers are borne on the top of the stem, two or three of them together; the sepals are green and red, and the spreading petals are straw-coloured and glossy, their edges near the top being toothed. In the centre of the shallow cup formed by the petals, and which measures nearly 4 in. across, the orange-coloured stamens are clustered, in a kind of disk, through the middle of which the yellow stigma projects. It is a native of Mexico, at an altitude of 5000 ft. Introduced in 1848, when it flowered at Kew, in June, at which time it flowers almost every year now. A warm greenhouse affords the most suitable conditions for it; but, unless it is kept in full sunshine both summer and winter, and perfectly dry during the latter season, it will not produce any flowers. As a flowering plant, it ranks amongst the very best of the Mamillarias. It is easily propagated from seeds ripened on cultivated plants.
M. dasyacantha(thick-spined).—Stem 2 in. to 3 in. high, almost globular, and covered with spiral whorls of tiny tubercles, in the grooves of which is a little whitish wool, which falls away as the tubercles ripen. The spines upon the tubercles are arranged in little stars, with an erect central one. The flowers are small, and spring from the centre of the stem. This is one of the Thimble Cactuses, and is too small to have any great attractions, either in stem or flowers. It is, however, a pretty plant, especially when studded with its ruby-like flowers, which look like coloured Daisies growing upon a dense tuft of hairs. It is a native of Mexico, where it grows on high mountains among short grass and other herbage.
M. discolor(spines two-coloured).—Stem globose, about 4 in. in diameter; tubercles smooth, egg-shaped, their bases embedded in white wool, their tips crowned with stellate tufts of short, reddish spines. Flowers numerous, and borne from almost all parts of the stem, less than 1 in. wide, and composed of a single whorl of narrow, reflexed, rose-purple petals, surrounding a large, disk-like cluster of yellow stamens. The flowers are so short that they are half hidden by the tubercles. It is a native of Mexico, where it grows on rocks, in warm, sheltered places. Under cultivation it thrives when grown on a dry shelf in a warm house, and kept moist in summer, but perfectly dry in winter.
M. dolichocentra(long-spurred); Fig. 58.—Apparently this is a variable species; at all events, plants of widely different habit are found under this name, one of them represented in the Figure here, another in theGarden,Vol. XVII., whilst others are figured or described in other books. What is known at Kew as the true plant is that here figured. This has a stout stem, about 8 in. high and 3 in. wide, and covered with smooth cone-shaped mammae, with woolly bases and stellate tufts of spines on their tips. The flowers are produced about 1 in. from the top of the stem, and are less than 1 in. wide; they are, however, often very numerous, sometimes a closely-set ring of them surrounding the stem, like a daisy chain, their colour being pale purple. Below the flowers there is often a whorl of club-shaped fruits, ¾ in. long, and rose-coloured. These contain numerous little black seeds, which, when ripe, may be sown in pots of very sandy loam. The plant is a native of Mexico, and flowers in summer. It thrives in a tropical temperature, and enjoys a daily syringing overhead on bright days in summer, but in winter requires little or no water.
MAMILLARIA DOLICHOCENTRAFIG. 58.—MAMILLARIA DOLICHOCENTRA
FIG. 58.—MAMILLARIA DOLICHOCENTRA
M. echinata(hedgehog-like).—A charming little plant, with very small stems, clustered together in a cushion-like tuft, each stem less than 1 in. wide; but a well-grown specimen is composed of dozens of these, packed almost one on top of the other. The tubercles are hidden by the star-like spine clusters which cap them, and look like a swarm of insects. Flowers very small, rose-coloured, and lasting only about a day. These are succeeded by numerous currant-like red berries, so numerous, in fact, that the plants look as if thickly studded all over with coral beads. The central stem is sometimes about 6 in. high, those surrounding it being shorter and shorter, till the outside ones rise only just above the soil. A well-grown plant of this is strikingly pretty, even when not in fruit. It is a native of Mexico, and requires the treatment of a warm house. A few pieces of broken brick should be placed upon the surface of the soil about the base of the plant, as the stems like to press against, or grow upon, anything in the nature of rocky ground.
M. echinus(hedgehog-like); Fig. 59.—A distinct and pretty little plant, the largest specimen having a stem about the size and shape of a small hen's-egg, completely hidden under the densely interwoven radial spines, which crown the thirteen spiral rows of tubercles, and are almost white when mature. The tubercles are ½ in. long, and, in addition to these white radiating spines, they also bear each a stout spike-like spine, growing from the centre of the others. This spine gives the plant an appearance quite distinct from all other cultivated Mamillarias. The flowers are produced two or three together, on the top of the stem, and they are nearly 2 in. long, cup-shaped, and coloured yellow; they usually appear about June. As yet this species is rare in cultivated collections. It comes from Mexico, where it is found growing on limestone hills, in hot and arid localities. Under cultivation it requires a warm greenhouse temperature, exposure to bright sunshine all the year round, with a moderate supply of water in summer, and none at all during winter. A few large pieces of broken brick or sandstone placed in the soil, just under the base of the stem, afford the roots conditions suitable to their healthy growth.
MAMILLARIA ECHINUSFIG. 59.—MAMILLARIA ECHINUS
FIG. 59.—MAMILLARIA ECHINUS
M. elegans(elegant).—A small species, grown only for the prettiness of its stem, flowers rarely, if ever, being borne by it under cultivation. The stem is 2 in. high and wide, globose, with small conical tubercles, which, when young, are woolly at the tips. Spines short and slender, about twenty, arranged in a star on each tubercle, with four central ones a little longer than those which surround them; the colour of the spines is whitish, with brown tips. Native country Mexico, on high exposed hills; in this country it requires greenhouse treatment. Introduced about 1850.
M. elephantidens(elephant's-tooth); Fig. 60.—One of the largest and most remarkable of all garden Mamillarias. Stem globose, depressed, 6 in. to 8 in. in diameter, and bright shining green. Tubercles smooth, round, 1½ in. long, furrowed across the top, which is at first filled with wool, but when old is naked. At the base of the tubercles there is a dense tuft of white wool, and springing from the furrows are eight radiating recurved spines, and three short central ones, all strong, stiff, and ivory-white, tipped with brown. The flowers are 3 in. wide, and are composed of a circle of violet-coloured sepals, with white margins, and a second circle of petals which are bright rose, pale purple at the base, a line of the same colour extending all down the middle. The stamens are numerous, with long purple filaments and yellow anthers, and the pistil is stout, erect, projecting above the stamens, with a radiating stigma. Flowers in autumn; native country, Paraguay. Under cultivation, it grows quicker than is usual with plants of this genus, and it is also exceptional in the regular and abundant production of its flowers. It has been a rarity in European collections for many years, and, although easily grown, it is often killed through wrong treatment. A cool greenhouse or sunny frame in summer, plenty of water whilst growth is active, and a light, well-drained soil, suit it best; whilst during winter it must be kept perfectly dry, and protected only from frost. In a tropical house, it is invariably sickly, and altogether unsatisfactory.
MAMILLARIA ELIPHANTIDENSFIG. 60.—MAMILLARIA ELIPHANTIDENS
FIG. 60.—MAMILLARIA ELIPHANTIDENS
M. elongata(elongated).—A small, cushion-like kind, with the stems in tufts, owing to their producing offsets freely from the base, the tallest of them being about as high and as thick as a man's thumb. The tubercles are short, crowded, and hidden under the star-clusters of reddish-yellow spines. There are no central spines in this kind. The flowers are produced in the axils of the tubercles from all parts of the stem, a large tuft of stems being thickly studded with circles of tawny yellow petals, which are only about ½ in. long. The berries are bright coral-red, and about the size of a date stone. There are several varieties of this species, under the names ofintertexta, rufescens, rutila, subcrocea, andsupertexta.These differ only slightly either in the length or thickness of the stems or in the colour of the spines. All of them may be grown in a cold frame, or in a window where the sun can shine upon them; or they may be grown along with tropical kinds. For small cases in windows, these little Thimble Cactuses are amongst the most suitable. They are natives of high mountains in Mexico, and have been cultivated in Europe over forty years.
M. fissurata(fissured); Fig. 61.—In appearance, this rare species mimics some of the Gasterias, and is so different from all the kinds hitherto described, that very few people unacquainted with it would suspect that it belonged to the same genus asM. elongataorM. dolichocentra. Indeed, some botanists have made a separate genus of this and several other plants of the same peculiar appearance, calling themAnhalonium. M. fissuratais like a whip-top in shape, the root being thick and woody, and the tubercles arranged in a thick layer, spreading from the centre, rosette-like. A living plant in the Kew collection is 2 in. high by 4 in. wide, the tubercles being triangular in shape, ½ in. thick, wrinkled, with an irregular furrow on the upper surface. The flowers grow from the middle of the stem, and are 1½ in. wide, and rose-coloured. Native of Mexico, on hard gravel or limestone soils. We know of no plant in English collections, except that at Kew, which was introduced from Mexico in 1886. It flowers in September and October.
MAMILLARIA FISSURATAFIG. 61.—MAMILLARIA FISSURATA
FIG. 61.—MAMILLARIA FISSURATA
M. floribunda(free-flowering).—A French writer on Cactuses, M. Labouret, calls this a species of Echinocactus, but it resembles so closely another species included by him in Mamillaria, viz.,M. atrata, that we see no good reason for separating the two into different genera.M. floribundahas an irregular conical stem, about 5 in. high by 4 in. wide at the base, round nut-like tubercles the size of filberts, crowned with star-tufts of spines ¾ in. long, stiff, and brown, about ten spines being set with their bases in a small disc-like pad of dirty-white wool. The flowers are very numerous, covering the whole of the stem-top, from which they stand erect, so as to form a dense bouquet of rose-coloured petals. Each flower is 2 in. long. Native of Chili; introduced about 1835. Flowers in summer. This handsome kind will thrive in a window, and, if well supplied with fresh air, sunshine, and sufficient water to keep the soil moist, it will flower almost every year. It must have no water in winter.
M. gracilis(slender).—A small Thimble Cactus, remarkable for its proliferous stems, a single stem 2 in. high producing all round its upper half numerous, offshoots, which fall to the ground and grow. In this way a tuft of stems is soon developed round the first one. If these offshoots are removed as they appear, the stem will grow longer and stouter than it does when they are left. Tubercles small, green, crowded; spines in a stellate tuft, short, curved, pale yellow or white. Flowers as inM. elongata, to which this species is closely allied. In window cases, or on a shelf in a cool greenhouse, it will grow and multiply rapidly. Like the bulk of the caespitose, or Thimble Cactuses, it does not make much show when in flower; and it is only its stems, with their white stars of spines and clusters of little offsets hanging about them, that are attractive. Native of Mexico; introduced about 1850. There is a variety known aspulchella, in which the spines are of a yellow hue.
M. Grahami(Graham's).—A pretty little species, with globose stems, scarcely 3 in. high, and nearly the same in diameter, branching sometimes when old; tubercles ¼ in. long, egg-shaped, corky when old, and persistent. Spines in tufts of about twenty, all radiating except one in the centre, which is hooked; they are about ½ in. long. Flowers 1 in. long, usually produced in a circle round the stem. Fruit a small, oval berry, ½ in. long. This is a native of Colorado, in mountainous regions. It is very rare in cultivation. The flowers are developed in June and July.
M. Haageana(Haage's); Fig. 62.—The habit of this is shown in the Figure, which is reduced to about one-fourth the natural size. As the stem gets older, it becomes more elongated. Tubercles small, four-sided at the base, pointed at the top, where the spines are arranged in a star, about twenty of them on each tubercle, with two central ones, which are longer, stiffer, and much darker in colour than those on the outside; flowers small, almost hidden beneath the spines, bright carmine-rose; they are produced on the sides of the upper portion of the stem in June. There is a close resemblance between this andM. cirrhifera, and the treatment for both should be the same. Mexico, 1835.
MAMILLARIA HAAGEANAFIG. 62.—MAMILLARIA HAAGEANA
FIG. 62.—MAMILLARIA HAAGEANA
M. longimamma(long-tubercled); Fig. 63.—A well-marked species in the size of its mammae, or tubercles, which are at least 1 in. long by 1/3 in. in diameter, terete, slightly curved, and narrowed to a pointed apex, the texture being very soft and watery. Each tubercle bears a radiating tuft of about twelve spines, one central and projecting outwards; they are pale brown when old, and white when young; their length is about ½ in. A tuft of short, white wool is developed at the base of the spines on the young mammae. The stem is seldom more than 4 in. in height, and it branches at the base when old. Flowers large and handsome, citron-yellow; the tube short, and hidden in the mammae; the petals 1½ in. long, narrow, pointed, and all directed upwards; stamens numerous, short. Flowering season, early summer. Native country, Mexico. It requires greenhouse treatment, or it may be placed in a sunny frame out of doors during summer. It is not easily multiplied from seeds, but is free in the production of offsets from the base of the stem.
MAMILLARIA LONGIMAMMAFIG. 63.—MAMILLARIA LONGIMAMMA
FIG. 63.—MAMILLARIA LONGIMAMMA
M. macromeris(large-flowered); Fig. 64.—Stem about 4 in. high, naked at the base, woody and wrinkled when old. Tubercles as inM. longimamma, but with curving radial spines, like needles, often 2 in. in length, white or rose-tinted when young, almost black when old. Flowers from the centre of the stem, 3 in. long, and about the same in width; the petals regular and spreading, as in the Ox-eye daisy; stamens numerous, short, forming a disk; colour carmine, almost purple just before fading. Flowering season, August. Native of Mexico, where it is found in loose, sand on hillocks, generally about the roots of Acacias. It is one of the most beautiful of all Mamillarias; but it is, as yet, rare in collections. It requires the same treatment asM. longimamma, except that, owing to the woody nature of its rootstock, and its long, tap-like roots, it should be planted in pans instead of pots, using a compost of rough loam, mixed with lumps of broken brick or limestone.
MAMILLARIA MACROMERISFIG. 64.—MAMILLARIA MACROMERIS
FIG. 64.—MAMILLARIA MACROMERIS
M. macrothele(large-nippled); Bot. Mag. 3634, asM. Lehmanni.—This belongs to the same group asM. cirrhifera, but is distinguished by its large mammae, which are four-angled at the base, ¾ in. long, narrowed to a point, upon which is a tuft of wool and a cluster of about eight spines, ½ in. long, spreading, reddish-brown in colour, the central one being almost black, 1 in. long, and pointing downwards. In the axils of the mammae are tufts of white wool. Flowers on the top of the stern, erect, spreading, about 1½ in. across when expanded; the petals overlapping, and pale yellow; the stamens red at the base, arranged in a dense cluster, and the rays of the stigma spreading over them. Flowering time, early summer. Native country, Mexico, on prairie lands, at high elevations. This species is almost hardy in the warmer parts of this country, suffering from damp rather than frost in winter. The stem is not particularly handsome, but the flowers are large and bright, and they are produced annually by plants which are grown in a cool, well-aired greenhouse or frame, with the sun shining on them all day.
M. micromeris(small-flowered); Fig. 65.—A small, cushion-like plant, with a stem never more than 1½ in. across by about 1 in. in height, so that it has the appearance of a small, flattened ball, with a raised, disk-like portion on the top. The mammae are very small, and they are completely hidden by the numerous fine, white, silky spines and wool which spring in tufts from the apex of each mamma, and interlace so as to form a spider-web-like net all over the stem. The flowers are small, and they spring from the centre of the disk-like top of the stern; they are composed of from three to five sepals, and five petals, which are whitish or pink, and measure about ¼ in. across when open. Native country, Mexico, where it is found only in naked places on mountain tops or sides where limestone is plentiful. It requires much care under cultivation, water in excess being fatal to it, and a soil of the wrong sort soon killing all its roots. It is cultivated at Kew in a small pot, in a mixture of loam and lime rubbish, and grown in a warm greenhouse.
MAMILLARIA MICROMERISFIG. 65.—MAMILLARIA MICROMERIS
FIG. 65.—MAMILLARIA MICROMERIS
M. multiceps(many-branched).—Stem short, with numerous branches, which again push forth other branches, so that a dense tuft of dumpy, globose stems is formed. The mammae are small, and arranged closely together, and they each bear a tuft of whitish wool, with a radiating cluster of spines, which are soft, almost hair-like in texture, the inner ones being stiffer, and coloured dull yellow. The flowers are small, and almost hidden by the spines and tubercles; they are pale yellow, with a line of red down the middle of each petal. Native country, Mexico. This plant should be grown on a shelf in a cool greenhouse—anything like a stove temperature being fatal to it. As a flowering plant it is of no value, but the compact tuft formed by its numerous stems, with their attractive spines, renders it worthy of cultivation.
M. Neumanniana(Neumann's).—This is a member of the group with angular tubercles and comparatively small flowers. It has a stem about 6 in. high, cylindrical, the tubercles arranged spirally, their bases compressed, four or five-angled, and with a tuft of white wool in their axils. The areoles or tufts on the tops of the mammae are large, and the spines are about seven in number, ½ in. long, and of a tawny-yellow colour. The flowers are produced near the top of the stem; they are about ½ in. long, and rose-red in colour. Native country, Mexico. It requires the same treatment asM. cirrhifera.
M. Ottonis(Ottoni's); Fig. 66.—A very distinct and pretty plant is cultivated under the name at Kew; but there are, apparently, two different species under the same name—the one being spiny and large in the stem; the other, which is here shown, having a small, compressed stem, 3 in. across, numerous compressed tubercles, and short, hair-like spines. The flowers, which are large for the size of the plant, are white, and are developed in May and June. Native country, Mexico; introduced in 1834. It requires similar treatment toM. micromeris.
MAMILLARIA OTTONISFIG. 66.—MAMILLARIA OTTONIS
FIG. 66.—MAMILLARIA OTTONIS
M. pectinata(comb-like); Fig. 67.—Stems globose, from 2 in. to 3 in. in diameter; the rootstock woody; the tubercles arranged in about thirteen spiral rows, swollen at the base, and bearing each a star-like tuft of about twenty-four stiff, brown, radial spines, without a central one; the length varies from ½ in. to 1 in., and they are comb-like in their regular arrangement. When not in flower, this species bears a close resemblance to small plants ofCereus pectinatus. Flowers terminal, solitary, large, their width quite 3 in. when fully expanded; sepals reddish-green; petals rich sulphur-yellow; filaments reddish, very numerous; the flowers open at noon, and close after about two hours, even although the sun be shining full upon them. Flowering season, June to August. Native country, Mexico, on slopes of limestone hills. Although long since known to botanists, this pretty species has only lately found its way into English gardens. It is attractive even when not in flower. It requires warm greenhouse treatment, with exposure to full sunshine; during late autumn it should have plenty of air to ripen the new growth made whilst flowering. In winter it should have a dry position near the glass.
MAMILLARIA PECTINATAFIG. 67.—MAMILLARIA PECTINATA
FIG. 67.—MAMILLARIA PECTINATA
M. phellosperma(corky-seeded).—A pretty plant, resemblingM. Grahamiin all points except the seed, which, as is denoted by the name, is half enveloped in a corky covering, suggesting acorns. Stems simple, sometimes proliferous at the base, globose when young, afterwards almost cylinder or pear-shaped, 5 in. high, 2 in. in diameter; tubercles ½ in. long, arranged in twelve spiral rows, slightly woolly in axils. Spines radiating, in two rows, about fifty on each tubercle, the three or four central ones being hooked at the tips or sometimes straight; length, ½ in. to 1½ in. Flowers (only seen in the dried state) 1 in. long and wide. Native of the dry gravelly hills and sand ridges in California and Colorado, and, therefore, requiring greenhouse treatment. This plant is cultivated in the Kew collection, but it has not been known to flower there. It is one of the most ornamental of the very spinous species, the radial spines being almost white, whilst the central ones are black, and look like tiny fish-hooks. A large proportion of these Mamillarias are far more interesting in the form and arrangement of their tubercles and spines than in any floral character, and it is on this account that so many which are insignificant as flowering plants are included here.
M. pulchra(handsome).—Stem globose when young and cylindrical when old, flattened at the top; height from 4 in. to 6 in.; tubercles large, egg-shaped, arranged in from eleven to thirteen spiral rows; spines in compact tufts, their bases set in whitish wool, irregular in length, and almost covering the whole of the stem. Flowers medium in size, developed near the top of the stem from the woolly axils of the tubercles; colour bright rose. Native of Mexico. Flowering season, June. Introduced in 1826. A rare kind nowadays, though one of the prettiest. It should always be grown in a warm house. It has been also calledM. pulcherrima.
M. pusilla(small).—A tiny tufted plant, belonging to the group known as Thimble Cactuses. It has stems 2 in. high; short, dark green tubercles, with tufts of whitish wool in the axils; spines thin and bristle-like, twisted, nearly 1 in. long, almost hiding the stem; they are whitish, with black tips. The flowers are yellowish-white, with streaks of red. Common in Mexico. Flowering season, May. It should be grown in a frame in summer, and wintered on a shelf in a warm greenhouse. It would, no doubt, thrive in a window if kept in a sunny position and placed under a glass shade. A variety known astexanadiffers in being more densely clothed with spines. We have seen it grown into large clumps, covering a space 1 ft. in diameter, with dozens of erect little pyramids of whitish spines.
M. pycnacantha(densely spined); Bot. Mag. 3972.—The name for this kind is rather misleading, the spines being both fewer and less conspicuous than in many other species of Mamillaria. Stem about 6 in. high, nearly globose; tubercles—rather large, swollen, with tufts of short white wool in their axils, and stellate clusters of spines springing from disks of white wool on the top. The spines are ½ in. long, slightly recurved, flattened, and pale brown. Flowers large, clustered on the top of the stem, about half a dozen opening together; width 2 in.; petals numerous, narrow, toothed at the tips, spreading; colour a deep sulphur-yellow, anthers orange. Native of Oaxaca, Mexico. Flowering season, July. Introduced 1840. This is a beautiful flowering plant, more like an Echinocactus than a Mamillaria. It should be grown in a warm greenhouse all the year round. Old stems develop offsets from the base, by which the species may be multiplied.
M. sanguinea(bloody); Fig. 68.—This is closely related toM. bicolor,but differs in having an unbranched stem and numerous richly-coloured flowers. The stem is stout, 6 in. high, and 4 in. through; tubercles crowded, short, bearing stellate tufts of shortish spines, and projecting longer ones, all being bristly and pale yellow, except those on the youngest tubercles, which are golden. The flowers are borne in a crowded circle on the top of the stem, just outside the cluster of young yellow spines, a strong plant having about forty flowers open together. Each flower is about ½ in. long and wide, and coloured bright crimson, with yellow anthers. Native of Mexico. Flowers in June. It should be grown along withM. bicolor. The plant figured is a young one, showing the spines much longer than is usual on mature specimens.
MAMILLARIA SANGUINEAFIG. 68.—MAMILLARIA SANGUINEA
FIG. 68.—MAMILLARIA SANGUINEA
M. Scheerii(Scheer's).—Stem 7 in. high, and 5 in. in diameter at the base; tubercles large, swollen, somewhat flattened, pale green, watery, woolly in the axils, the tops crowned with about a dozen brown spines, 1 in. long, one central, the others radial. Flowers terminal, erect, with several whorls of spreading, recurved petals, the lower ones tinged with crimson, the upper pale yellow, and forming a shallow cup, 2 in. across; anthers forming a compact sheaf in the centre. Flowers in summer. This distinct and very pretty species was introduced many years ago from Mexico, where it was discovered in 1845 by a Mr. Potts, to whose love for these plants we are indebted for a great many choice kinds collected and sent to England by him. It grows naturally in a red, sandy loam, and under cultivation requires warm-house treatment, except during the autumn, when it may be placed in a frame and exposed to full sunshine and plenty of air.
M. Schelhasii(Schelhas').—A pretty little tufted kind, its habit and size being shown in Fig. 69. The stem produces offsets freely at the base, which grow into full-sized stems, and develop young ones, till a compact cushion is formed. Tubercles closely arranged, cylindrical, shining green, with fifteen to twenty radial, white, hair-like spines, ½ in. long, and three inner ones, which are thicker, purplish in colour, usually only one being hooked. Flowers white, with a line of rose down the middle of each petal, ¾ in. across. Flowering season, beginning of summer. Native of Mexico. It may be grown out of doors in a sunny position in summer, and wintered on a shelf in a greenhouse.
MAMILLARIA SCHELHASIIFIG. 69.—MAMILLARIA SCHELHASII
FIG. 69.—MAMILLARIA SCHELHASII
M. Schiedeana(Schiede's). —Stem globose, 3 in. to 5 in. high, thickly clothed with long, narrow, pointed tubercles, the bases of which are set in white wool, whilst the apices are crowned with tiny stars of white silky spines; more like the pappus of a Composite than the spines usually found on Cactuses. A healthy plant has a very pretty and silky appearance which cannot well be described. The flowers are small and unattractive; they are succeeded by the red fruits, which remain on the plant a long time, and add to its beauty. Native country, Mexico. Introduced 1838. Should be grown in a greenhouse where frost is excluded, and where there is plenty of sunlight at all times. It is easily increased, either from seeds or by means of the offsets developed at the base of old stems.
M. semperviva(ever-living); Fig. 70.—Stem pear-shaped, 3 in. wide, the top slightly depressed. Tubercles conical, ¼ in. long, their bases set in a cushion of white wool, their tips bearing tiny tufts of wool, and four small spines, which fall away on the tubercles becoming ripe, leaving two short, diverging, central spines. Flowers small, not ornamental, and scantily developed near the outside of the top. Native of Mexico; in meadows and thickets near Zimapan, at 5000 ft. elevation. It thrives with us when grown in a frame in summer, and wintered in a cool greenhouse or frame.
MAMILLARIA SEMPERVIVAFIG. 70.—MAMILLARIA SEMPERVIVA
FIG. 70.—MAMILLARIA SEMPERVIVA
M. senilis(hoary).—Stem about 3 in. high, spherical, unbranched, except when very old, when it becomes proliferous at the base; tubercles crowded, small, arranged spirally, and crowned with clusters of long, radiating spines, which are almost white, hair-like, and become thickly interwoven, as in the Old Man Cactus(Pilocereus senilis). The central spine is black, and hooked at the tip. Flowers on the top of the stem, near the centre; the petals toothed, spreading, and forming a deep cup, with a cluster of tall stamens standing erect in the middle; colour bright scarlet. The flowers, which appear in summer, remain open about eight hours. Native country unknown; cultivated in France in 1845. This plant is difficult to preserve in health, the best method being that of grafting it on to a short Cereus, or a robust kind of Mamillaria, such asM. cirrhifera. It is a pretty plant at all times, even when dead, for we have seen plants of it preserve the appearance of live specimens long after they have rotted and dried up in the centre, nothing remaining but the shell formed by the skin and silvery spines. There is a close resemblance between this species andM. Grahami.
M. stella-aurata(golden star).—This little plant obtains its name from the rich golden-yellow of its stellate clusters of spines, which are arranged thickly on the tips of the small, pointed tubercles. It belongs to the group called Thimble Cactuses, of which it is one of the prettiest. The stems are tufted, branching freely at the base, and rising to a height of about 2 in. Flowers small, whitish, and much less ornamental than the berry-like fruits which succeed them, and which are egg-shaped, ½ in. long, and a deep rose-colour.M. tenuisis a variety of this, with almost white spines. Native of Mexico. Introduced 1835. May be cultivated under a bell-glass in a room window, the only danger being damp during winter, which must be carefully avoided.
M. sub-polyhedra(usually many-sided); Fig. 71.—Stem simple till it becomes old, when it develops offsets at the base, broadly cylindrical, 8 in. high, 5 in. in diameter. Tubercles four-sided at base, prism-shaped, bearing pads of white wool in the corners at the base, and crowned with tufts of from four to seven spines, usually all radial, sometimes one central. The flowers, which usually appear in May, are arranged in a zone on the top of the old stems; sepals greenish-yellow, petals bright red. Fruit 1 in. long, pear-shaped, scarlet. Native of South Mexico, at high elevations. It may be grown outside in summer, and wintered in a heated greenhouse or frame. This is a singular-looking plant, the tubercles having an appearance suggestive of carving. It is a slow grower, and requires careful attention in winter, when sometimes the roots all perish and the base of the stem rots.
MAMILLARIA SUB-POLYHEDRAFIG. 71.—MAMILLARIA SUB-POLYHEDRA
FIG. 71.—MAMILLARIA SUB-POLYHEDRA
M. sulcolanata(woolly-grooved); Fig. 72.—Stem simple when young, proliferous at the sides when old, the young plants developing from the apices of the tubercles, and not in the axils, as is usual. The tubercles are nut-shaped, large, the bases surrounded by white wool, the points bearing eight to ten rigid, brown spines, all radiating from a little pad of wool. Flowers large, nearly 2 in. across, bright yellow, poppy-scented, the spread of the petals suggesting Paris Daisies; they are freely developed on the apex of the stem in June, and on till August. Fruit egg-shaped, glaucous-green. Native country, South Mexico; introduced 1836. This charming little plant should be grown in a frame exposed to full sunshine all summer, and removed to a shelf in a warm greenhouse in winter. With such treatment it grows and flowers freely. Grafted on to a Cereus or Opuntia it is healthier than when on its own roots.
MAMILLARIA SULCOLANATAFIG. 72.—MAMILLARIA SULCOLANATA
FIG. 72.—MAMILLARIA SULCOLANATA
M. tetracantha(four-spined); Bot. Mag. 4060.—Stem the size and shape of an ostrich's egg, thickly studded with small, conical tubercles, woolly at the base, the apices bearing each four spreading spines, ¾ long, rather stout, straight, brown when young, becoming almost white with age. Flowers numerous, small, arranged as inM. sanguinea, to which andM. cirrhiferathis species is closely related. They are bright rose in colour, with orange-yellow anthers, and are developed in July. Native of Mexico. Requires the same treatment asM. cirrhifera.
M. tuberculosa(tubercled).—This is a very pretty and distinct plant, of recent introduction, and easily cultivated. It has a central stem, 6 in. high by 2 in. in diameter, conical in shape, and surrounded at the base by globose branches or offsets. The tubercles are closely set in numerous spiral rows, and are ½ in. long, rather narrow, pointed, with a crown of radial spines, very slender, hair-like, white, and ½ in. long; central spines three or four, ½ in. long. At the base of each tubercle is a pea-like tuft of white wool. In this kind the spines fall from the old tubercles, which are persistent, gradually hardening to a cork-like substance. The flowers are produced in the apex of the stem, and are 1 in. long and wide, daisy-like, pale purple in colour; they are succeeded by red, oval berries, which are as pretty as the flowers. About five flowers are developed on each stem annually—May and June. Native of Mexico, in the mountains. It thrives when grown in an ordinary greenhouse, on a shelf, in full sunshine.
M. turbinata(top-shaped); Bot. Mag. 3984 .—Stem globose, depressed at top, about 3 in. in diameter, pale glaucous-green; tubercles quadrangular, flattened at the apex, and bearing, when young, from three to five erect, slender, hair-like spines, which fall off soon after the tubercles ripen, exposing little depressions or umbilica, and giving the stem a bald, pudding-like appearance, quite distinct from any other kind. Flowers from the centre of the stem, short, about 1 in. across, pale yellow, with a reddish tint outside; anthers yellow. Two or three flowers are usually expanded together in the month of June. Native country, Mexico.
M. uncinata(hooked).—Stem globose, simple, about 4 in. in diameter; tubercles closely pressed against each other at the base, where they are four-angled; in length they are ¼ in., and they are blue-green in colour. Apex bearing four short spines, arranged crosswise, and ¼ in. long; central spine slightly longer, yellow, and hooked. The flowers are 1 in. long and wide, erect, the tube hidden by the young mammae, amongst which they appear in May and June; they are purple in colour, a line of deeper tint running down the middle of each petal. Like all the kinds with short, angular tubercles, this species is easily managed, flowers freely and profusely, and always ripens seeds. Native of Mexico. It may be grown in a frame, or even out of doors, all through the summer, removing it to a greenhouse for the winter.
M. vetula(old).—One of the small Thimble Cactuses, its stems seldom exceeding 3 in. in height by 1½ in. in diameter. Tubercles ¼ in. long, conical, with a radial crown of fine, hair-like yellow spines, ¼ in. long, and a solitary central spine, ½ in. in length, and coloured red. Flowers terminal, just peeping above the tubercles; sepals and petals acute, yellow, ¾ in. long; anthers yellow; stigma white. An old garden plant, introduced from Mexico. It flowers in May and June. For its cultivation it may be treated as recommended forM. pusilla.
M. villifera(hair-bearing).—Stem similar to the last, but usually proliferous at the base; tubercles angular, short, woolly in the axils, and bearing four rigid, short, reddish-brown spines on the apex. Flowers pale rose, with a line of purple down the middle of each petal; they are developed near the top of the stem, in May. Native country, Mexico. This plant thrives if treated as recommended forM. pusilla. There are several varieties known, distinguished by their paler or darker flowers, or by a difference in the length and arrangement of the spines.
M. viridis(green).—Stem 4 in. high by 3 in. in diameter, proliferous at the base; tubercles short, four-angled, crowded in spiral rows, woolly at the base, bearing each five or six radiating hair-like spines on the apex, and one central erect one, none more than ¼ in. long. Flowers erect, on top of stem, with recurved, pale yellow petals, 1 in., long; they are produced in May and June. Introduced from Mexico in 1850. It may be grown in a sunny frame out of doors during summer, and on a dry, warm greenhouse shelf in winter.
M. vivipara(stem—sprouting).—A tufted, free-growing Thimble Cactus, producing its small stems in such profusion as to form a cluster as much as 3 ft. in diameter. The small tubercles are hidden by the numerous radial spines, which are in clusters of about twenty; they are white, hair-like, stiff and ½ in. long; the central spines, numbering from four to six, are a little longer. Flowers from apex of stem, 1½ in. long and wide, and composed of about thirty fimbriated sepals and twenty-five to forty narrow petals; colour bright purple. Fruit ½ in. long, pale green when ripe. The flowers, which appear in May and June, usually expand after mid-day. Native of Louisiana. In the North-West plains and Rocky Mountains of North America this plant is abundant, often forming wide cushion-like tufts, which, when covered with numerous purple, star-like flowers, have a pretty effect. In Utah and New York it is commonly cultivated as a hardy garden plant, bearing exposure to keen frosts and snow without suffering; but it would not thrive out of doors in winter with us, unless covered by a handlight during severe weather, and protected from heavy rains in winter. It likes a strong, clayey soil.
M. v. radiosa(Fig. 73). —This variety is distinguished by its larger flowers and shorter spines.