Description
Mammillaria pectinifera f. monstruosa is an odd monstrous plant with narrow felt-like areoles derived from the well known Mammillaria pectinifera.
Habit: This cultivars is easily grown into small clumps or mounds, and tends to offset more abundantly than the normal form.
Stem: Depressed-globose to somewhat elongated (depending on growing condition) 3-7 cm in diameter, green, with white wool in the centre, and also in the older areoles.
Tubercles: Hatchet-shaped, laterally compressed, and often thinner than the above standing areoles.
Areoles: Very distinctive, creamy-white, conspicuous, in relief, extremely elongated, 5-12 mm long and 2-4 mm broad.
Spines: The dense felt that cover the areoles, if you look carefully, is formed by extremely, short bristle-like spines that give the areoles its characteristic felty appearance, in fact these areoles are firm to the touch because they are densely covered by innumerable tiny spines. The younger areoles at the stems apex are greenish.
Flowers. Not seen.
Similar cultivars: A similar abnormal uncoordinated form of vegetative growth, is also seen in Mammillaria cv. Chiara Blando.
Origin and Habitat
Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)
Cultivation and Propagation
This plant is grown exclusively grafted. Keep well ventilated, protect from frosts and freezes. Give plenty of light to keep plant compact, but avoid direct sun exposure in the hottest part of the day during the summer.
