Stats

Lifespan: Up to 70 yrs
Size: Small
Diet: Photosynthetic
Biome: Desert
Range: North America
Movement: Sessile
Breeding: Seeds
Defense: Spines
Status: Common

About

Mammillaria is one of the largest cactus genera, with over 200 species native mainly to Mexico, all recognised by their globular bodies covered in nipple-like tubercles (mammillae) tipped with clusters of spines. Despite their fierce armour, they produce neat rings of small, vivid flowers — pink, red, or white — encircling the crown like a floral halo.

Life cycle

1.
seed
A dormant seed waits for water and warmth before germinating.
2.
sprout
A first shoot emerges with cotyledon leaves and a tap root reaching down.
3.
sapling
A young plant grows true leaves and a stem or trunk, putting on height each season.
4.
mature
Fully grown, flowering or fruiting at adult size.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Mammillaria