Mammillaria of the Month

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Mammillaria grahamii

Photo: Plant in Cultivation: Copyright of Chris Davies 2009

Mammillaria grahamii is one of the more widespread Mammillarias from the Southern Unites States and Northern Mexico, ranging from Texas to Arizona. The equally well known name of Mammillaria microcarpa is now taken to be a synonym of this species, and the sometimes referenced variety oliviae also now subsumed into a single, and quite variable species.

As is often the case with widely distributed species, a number of species and varietal names have been associated with this plant over the years, including milleri, which at one time seemed destined to become the species name for microcarpa. However with the combination of microcarpa and grahamii, a single species name has won out.

It is usually a cylindrical, offsetting or branching plant, with a variable number of radialspines, ranging from 18 to 30+, which are usually white, but can be seen with pale brown or even red tinges to them. The central spines are also variable in number, from 1 to 4 tyically, and in colour, from yellow to brown to almost black. The flowers are it's crowing glory, pink to lavender, often appearing as a complete ring, with their greenish-yellow stigmas stretched beyond the level of the petals.

 

Photo: Plant in habitat - Southern Arizona: Copyright of Chris Davies 2009

 

Photo: Plant in habitat - Southern Arizona: Copyright of Chris Davies 2009