Mammillaria xaltianguensis

Description

Mammillaria xaltianguensis is a species of plant in the genus Mammillaria in the cactus family (Cactaceae). The specific epithet xaltianguensis refers to the occurrence of the species in the village of Xaltianguis in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Mammillaria xaltianguensis usually grows singly or occasionally in groups. The green shoots are cylindrical in shape. They grow up to 20 centimeters high and 7 to 8 centimeters in diameter. The warts are slightly square. Milky sap is only present in the plant body, not in the warts. The axillae are covered with sparse wool and bristles 8 to 12 millimeters long. The 3 to 5 central spines are partially hooked. They are needle-like, purple-brown to yellowish brown with a reddish tip that later becomes whitish and 6 to 12 millimeters long. The 16 to 20 radial spines are bristling, translucent white and 5 to 6 millimeters long. The 1.7 cm long flowers are more or less light pink to yellowish or even carmine. The green fruits have a yellowish tip. They contain brown seeds.