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Mammillaria berkiana
This rarely found species is slow growing, but rewards the patient
grower with displays of purple flowers.
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Description: Plants at first solitary or
clustering in the course of
time with up to 40 stems.
Stem: Globose, olive-green to dark green, 4 to 6 cm in diameter
with latex.
Axil: Without bristles occasionally with scarce wool.
Radial spine: Numerous 35 to 38, widely spreading, up to 6 mm
long, the upper up to 4 mm, white, fine, needle-like.
Central spine: 5 to 8, one more central, 2 to 4 hooked and 10 mm
long, the others 4 to 5 mm long and straight, red-brown, whitish at
base.
Roots: Taproots.
Flower: Bell shaped, deep set, dark purple-pink, not widely
opening, to 10 mm in diameter. Perianth-segments oblong, obtuse. Stigmas
purple.
Fruit: Club-shaped, 15 - 20 mm long,
whitish to pink.
Seed: Black.
Flowering season: Autumn-winter to spring, the flowers remain open for
five or six days, exceptionally more.
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name: Mammillaria
berkiana A.B.Lau
In: Kakt. and Sukk. 37(2): 30-33 1986
Origin: Nayarit, Sierra Huichol , Jalisco, Mexico.
Habitat:
It is a cliff-dwelling
species that grows among rocks on hillsides at an altitude from 1.800 to
2.400 m
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
Synonyms:
- Mammillaria mercadensis Patoni
In: Boletin, Alianza Cientifica Universal, Durango
1: 54. 1910
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Cultivation: Requires
excellent drainage provided by porous cactus soil (With not less than
50% grit content). We suggest repotting every 2-3 years. Prefers bright
light and ample airflow. Outside full sun or afternoon shade, inside it
needs bright light, and some direct sun. Water should be
carefully applied and only when the soil is dry to
the touch, as fits this cliff-dwelling species.
Allow soil to drain thoroughly before watering again.
Do not water in the winter (Rot prone). Protect from frost. But it's
hardy to -5°C if kept dry. During the beautiful 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. This
rarely found species is slow growing, but rewards the patient grower
with displays of small dark pink flowers. Winter rest is important to
stimulate flowering. Use small sized pots.
Propagation: Direct sow after
last frost or cuttings.
Photo of conspecific taxa,
varieties, forms and cultivars of plants
belonging to the
Mammillaria
mercadensis
complex
(This
Taxon
has lots of synonyms (
like many other cacti) whit
several controversial varieties and subspecies and comprises a
multitude of different forms):
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