Basionym: Mammillaria duwei Rogoz. & P.J.Braun 1985
Publication: Cactaceae Syst. Init. 16: 18 (11 Oct. 2003) Remarks: first published in U.Guzmán et al., Catálogo Cact. Mex.: 120 (May 2003), without basionym reference
Description
Mammillaria painteri is a small globular cactus, almost hidden by the spines. It is also known by many to be synonymous with Mammillaria crinita subsp. crinita and is one of the several forms of it with red, brown or coffee coloured central spines (the other forms have yellow centrals). Other similar forms with dark central spines comprises: Mammillaria felipensis, Mammillaria seideliana, Mammillaria trichacantha, and Mammillaria pubispina.
Habit: Plant solitary. With age it may offset from the base to form a small cluster.
Stem: Globose, dark green, about 2-8 high and cm in diameter. In its monstrous form, Mammillaria painteri f. monstruosa, it can grow to be larger than that.
Tubercles: Conical or cylindrical, not compacted, usually without bristles in their axils, amd without latex.
Radial spines: About 20, bristly, stiff, white, flattened against the stem, puberulent under a hand lens.
Central spines: 4 or 5, sometimes absent, awl shaped, ascending, red to dark brown, one occasionally hooked, puberulent.
Flowers: Shallow and funnel-shaped 15 mm long, greenish white or pale light yellow. Rarely, it will sometimes produce light pink or magenta flowers as well, the outer segments brownish; inner perianth-segments broad, with an ovate acute tip; stamens white; stigma-lobes cream-coloured.
Fruits: Globose to ovate, green to bright red.
Seeds: Brownish black, coarsely pitted.
Origin and Habitat
Queretaro and adjacent areas in Hidalgo and Guanajuato, Mexico.
Type locality: San Juan del Rio and adjacent areas, Queretaro, Hidalgo, Central Mexico.
Altitude: 1800-2240 meters above sea level.
Habitat: It grows in dry areas among shrubs together with Stenocereus marginatus, Ferocactus latispinus, Myrtillocactus geometrizans, Opuntia imbricata, Ferocactus histrix, Ferocactus latispinus, Echinocereus cinerascens, Coryphantha erecta, Coryphantha radians, Mammillaria uncinata, Mammillaria elongata, Mammillaria uberiformis and Agave salmiana.
Cultivation and Propagation
Mammillaria painteri is an easy species in cultivation, with offsets formed at irregular intervals.
Growth rate: It is a small growing, but easily flowering, species that will make clumps given the best conditions.
Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil.
Repotting: It will need a pot with sufficient depth to allow the tap root. Use pot with good drainage.
Watering: Water regularly in summer, but do not overwater (Rot prone), keep dry in winter. Keep it in very dry and ventilated place especially in winter.
Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.
Hardiness: Reputedly sensitive to frost , but less so if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather (hardy to -5° C for short periods, but some reports give it hardy to -12°C). However some warmth throughout the year will increase the grower’s success (minimum 5° to 8°C during rest season).
Exposition: Outside bright sun, filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Subject to sunburn if exposed to direct sun for too long. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy wool and spine production.
Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small. It look fine in a cold greenhouse and frame.
Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: they may be effectively rubbed up by misting the vulnerable plants every day
- Mealy bugs: Easily they develop aerial into the new growth among the wool with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Sciara Flies: they are one of the major problems for seedlings. It is a good practice to mulch your seedlings with a layer of grit, which will strongly discourage the flies.
- Scales: they are rarely a problem.
It is wise to treat your whole collection with a systemic insecticide twice a year in spring and autumn.
- Rot: it is only a minor problem with cacti if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won’t help all that much.
Propagation: Direct sow after last frost or (rarely) cuttings. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring, remove the glass cover gradually as the plants develops and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants! To make a cutting twist off a branch and permit it to dry out a couple of weeks, lay it on the soil and insert the stem end partially into the soil. Try to keep the cutting somewhat upright so that the roots are able to grow downward.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Nathaniel L. Britton, J. N. Rose “Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus” Volume IV. The Carnegie Institution of Washington Washington, 24/Dec/1923
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Fitz Maurice, W.A. & Fitz Maurice, B. “Mammillaria painteri. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.” 2002 http://www.iucnredlist.org/
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Craig, Robert T. “M. bocasana, M. painteri.” “The Mammillaria Handbook, with Descriptions, Illustrations, and Key to the Species of the Genus Mammillaria of the Cactaceae.” Pasadena Abbey Garden, 1945
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Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
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James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
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David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. “The New Cactus Lexicon” dh books, 2006
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John Pilbeam “Mammillaria: the cactus file handbook” Cirio Publishing Services Ltd Dec/30,/1999
From llifle page Mammillaria painteri f. monstruosa cristata
Description
Mammillaria crinita forma monstruosa is a well known cultivar characterized by very reduced bristly or absent spines and small pink flowers. The crest form - despite to its beauty - is still very rare and sought after by collectors, for its unique features. It also distinguishes from the standard monstrous from which it derives for the more numerous fine bristly spines.
Habit: It is a small low growing crested cactus that will slowly forms tangled groups up to 20 cm in diameter.
Stem: Fan-shaped, about 2-2,5 in width.
Tubercles: Conical or cylindrical, not compacted, usually without bristles in their axils, and without latex.
Radial spines: up to 6 or absent, white, very thin, hair-like, inconspicuous.
Central spines: Usually absent or one bristly dark brownish-red.
Flowers: Narrowly funnel-shaped 15 mm long, light pink not opening widely, the outer segments brownish; inner perianth-segments broad, with an ovate acute tip; stamens white; stigma-lobes cream-coloured.
Fruits: Globose to ovate, green to bright red.
Seeds: Brownish black, coarsely pitted.
Cultivation and Propagation
Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant is not too difficult in a greenhouse, although grows quite slowly. It is sometime seen as a grafted plant but grows very well on its own roots too.
Soil: Use mineral well permeable mineral soil with little organic matter (peat, humus).
Exposure: They need a good amount of light shade to full sun this help to keep the plants healthy, although slow growth.
Watering: Water sparingly from March till October (weekly during summertime, if the weather is sunny enough) , with a little fertilizer added. Less or no water during cold winter months, or when night temperatures remain below 10° to prevent root loss. It is sensitive to overwatering (rot prone).
Fertilization: Feeding may not be necessary at all if the compost is fresh then, feed in summer only if the plant hasn’t been repotted recently. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker cold months.
Hardiness: Keep perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade. (but it is relatively cold resistant and hardy to -5° C, or possibly colder for short periods) In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! (Temperature Zone: USDA 9-11)
Crested growth: Unlike ‘monstrose’ varieties of plants, where the variation from normal growth is due to genetic mutation, crested growth can occur on normal plants. Sometimes it’s due to variances in light intensity, or damage, but generally the causes are unknown. A crested plant may have some areas growing normally, and a cresting plant that looks like a brain, may revert to normal growth for no apparent reason. If you have any of the crested part left you need to remove the normal growth and leave the crested part behind this will need to be done regularly.
Propagation: Grafting or cuttings. Plants are usually grafted onto column-shaped cacti but proved to be able to produce their own roots if degrafted. Cuttings will take root in a minimum temperature of 20° C (but better in hot weather). Cuttings of healthy shoots can be taken in the spring and summer. Cut the stem with a sharp, sterile knife, leave the cutting in a warm, dry place for a week or weeks (depending on how thick the cutting is) until a callus forms over the wound. Once the callus forms, the cutting may be inserted in a container filled with firmed cactus potting mix topped with a surface layer of coarse grit. They should be placed in the coarse grit only; this prevents the cut end from becoming too wet and allows the roots to penetrate the rich compost underneath. The cuttings should root in 2 to 6 weeks. Large crested piece must be placed on the soil surface without burying the plant base down in the soil.
Source: Mammillaria painteri f. monstruosa cristata, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Mammillaria painteri f. monstruosa
Description
Usually this Mammillaria crinita forma monstruosa is offered with the incorrect name of Mammillaria painteri (monstrous form). It is a well known cultivar characterized by very reduced bristly or absent spines, free branching, and small pink flowers.
Habit: It is a small low growing plant that offsets from the base to form a small cluster or mound.
Stem: Globose, dark green, about 2-8 high and cm in diameter, the monstrous form can eventually grow to be larger than the normal Mammillaria painteri.
Tubercles: Conical or cylindrical, not compacted, usually without bristles in their axils, and without latex.
Radial spines: up to 6 but usually less and often absent, white, very thin, hair-like, inconspicuous.
Central spines: Usually absent, or occasionally one, bristly, very thin, redish-brown and erect.
Flowers: Narrowly funnel-shaped 15 mm long, light pink not opening widely, the outer segments brownish; inner perianth-segments broad, with an ovate acute tip; stamens white; stigma-lobes cream-coloured.
Fruits: Globose to ovate, green to bright red.
Seeds: Brownish black, coarsely pitted.
Remarks: The flowers of plants grafted on Opuntia humifusa are not only very abundant but also reach a whole maturation and open to a splendid blossoming. In comparison the flowers of plants on their own roots and on different grafting stocks are smaller, imperfect, and usually fail to open completely.
Origin and Habitat
Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)
Cultivation and Propagation
Mammillaria crinita subs. painteri f. monstruosa is an easy species in cultivation, recommended for any collection that needs lots of light with ample airflow.
Growth rate: It is a small growing, but easily flowering species. It takes several years to offset, but once it starts it can fill a 25 cm pot in just a few years given the best conditions.
Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil with little organic matter (peat, humus).
Repotting: Repotting every 2-3 years. It will need a pot with sufficient depth to allow the tap root. As it is especially prone to rot under-pot in a smaller container filled with very porous compost. Use pot with good drainage.
Watering: Water regularly in summer, but do not overwater (very wet-sensitively, especially in light of its succulent root system). Its roots are easily lost in pots that stay damp for any length of time. Keep dry with ample airflow in winter. In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! Care must be taken with watering as they tends to become swollen and untidy in growth habit if given too much water and shade.
Fertilization: During the growing season enrich the soil using a fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorous, but poor in nitrogen, because this chemical element doesn’t help the development of succulent plants, making them too soft and full of water.
Hardiness: Reputedly sensitive to frost , but less so if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather (hardy to -5° C for short periods, but some reports give it hardy to -12°C). However some warmth throughout the year will increase the grower’s success (minimum 5° to 8°C during rest season).
Exposition: Outside bright sun, filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Subject to sunburn if exposed to direct sun for too long. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy wool and spine production.
Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small. It look fine in a cold greenhouse and frame.
Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Sensitive to red spider mite. Overhead watering is helpful in controlling mites.
- Mealy bugs: Easily they develop aerial into the new growth among the wool with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Sciara Flies: they are one of the major problems for seedlings. It is a good practice to mulch your seedlings with a layer of grit, which will strongly discourage the flies.
- Scales: they are rarely a problem.
It is wise to treat your whole collection with a systemic insecticide twice a year in spring and autumn.
- Rot: it is only a minor problem with mammillaria if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won’t help all that much.
Propagation: Direct sow after last frost or (rarely) cuttings. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring, remove the glass cover gradually as the plants develops and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants! The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted, after which they can be planted separately in small pots. Cuttings: wait until the offsets that appear at the base of old clustered specimens are 1/3 the size of the parent and then detach and plant. Cuttings will take root in a minimum temperature of 20° C (but better in hot weather). Cuttings of healthy shoots can be taken in the spring and summer. Cut the stem with a sharp, sterile knife, leave the cutting in a warm, dry place for a week or weeks (depending on how thick the cutting is) until a callus forms over the wound. Once the callus forms, the cutting may be inserted in a container filled with firmed cactus potting mix topped with a surface layer of coarse grit. They should be placed in the coarse grit only; this prevents the cut end from becoming too wet and allows the roots to penetrate the rich compost underneath. The cuttings should root in 2 to 6 weeks.
Notes
Mammillaria crinita ssp. crinita “mostruosa” looks almost identical to Mammillaria cv. Caterpincy. We do not exclude that the two different named cultivars might be the same.
Source: Mammillaria painteri f. monstruosa, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
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