Seed Distribution 2009
The Seed Offer is made annually to Members of the Society. Seed can now be offered to all visitors to our web site. The order form together with details of how to order can be downloaded by following this LINK which will open in this window.
Notes on the 2009 seed distribution by Bill Maddams
Some very interesting seed surplus to the 2008 distribution is on sale at a discounted price. As no notes relating to this were provided in the February 2008 Journal, because of pressure on space, some comments will now be useful, particularly for those not wholly familiar with the names.
M. hubertmulleri, M. isotensis and M. virginis all belong to the Series Polyacanthae of which M. spinosissima is by far the best known species. Like this latter they all flower very freely but differ considerably in spination and general appearance. M. hubertmulleri has a body which becomes stoutly cylindrical with age. It has the rather numerous fine white radial spines of M. spinosissima but the centrals, usually four in number, are much stouter and larger and because of their dark brown colour stand out conspicuously against the white radials.
M. isotensis has a cylindrical body but it offsets freely from the base and higher on the stem, to form a pleasing clump. It also has rather numerous white radial spines but, in comparison with M. hubertmulleri, the centrals, chocolate brown in colour are thinner, shorter and less conspicuous. Nevertheless, it is very attractive. M. virginis comes within a group of species that include the better known M. duoformis and M. magnifica but, unlike them, it does not offset. The radial spines are much stronger than is the case with M. hubertmulleri and M. isotensis and are nearly as long as the yellowish brown centrals, so the overall appearance is that of a rather tightly spined plant. It merits a place in all Mammillaria collections.
M. estebanensis and M. phitauiana belong to the Series Ancistracanthae, largely from Baja California, many of which have hooked central spines and fairly large charismatic flowers, often with vivid reddish/magenta petals. The two species on offer have white flowers with green stigma lobes, that are somewhat larger than average for the genus and appear in the late spring/early summer. Both are columnar species, which may offset at maturity, that are slow growing and require an open compost to a depth no more than is necessary to accommodate the rather sparse root system. Both deserve to be more widely grown.
Both M. knebeliana and M. mathildae belong to the Series Stylothelae best known for such easy grown and free flowering species as M. bocasana and M. zeilmanniana. M. knebeliana is undoubtedly related to M. bocasana but as the seed on offer comes from a known locality, near Ahualulco, San Luis Potosi, we urge members to raise plants and draw their own conclusions. I find M. mathildae to be of somewhat slow growth which, perhaps, is not a bad thing. It flowers when quite small and, with its dark central spines, one hooked and with its fine white pubescent radials, is pleasing to the eye at all times.
M. rioverdense is one of a number of taxa related to M. magnimamma, in a broad sense, that should not be ignored on this account. Werner Reppenhagen who discovered and described it, reported it as solitary in habitat and my impression of it in cultivation is that it is very unlikely to form the large clumps so typical of M. magnimamma. When grown in a good light the lowest of the central spines can be long and impressive. The flowers are cream to very pale pink.
M. montensis is one of the straight spined species from near the area of the conjunction of the States of Sonora, Chihuahua and Sinaloa in north west Mexico that are being intensively studied in habitat by Helmut Rogozinski and Wolfgang Plein and its precise standing has yet to be decided. As described by Dr. Craig, the two central spines are fairly long and dark brown and my plant fits this description. I have yet to see the flowers but they are likely to be carmine, although such is the variability of flower colour in this group of taxa I suppose plants with yellow flowers are a possibility.
M. sartorii and M. mystax both hail from the south of Mexico. The former is found in the Barranca de Tenampa, Vera Cruz and at first sight might be mistaken as a relative of M. magnimamma on account of its angled green tubercles (which redden in bright conditions), spination and clumping habit. However, there is abundant axillary wool, sometimes white but often canary yellow, together with bristles, that indicate placement in the Series Polyedrae. This wool, together with the carmine flowers, make it a desirable species, one deserving to be more widely grown. M. mystax also belongs to the Series Polyedrae. Photographs of plants in habitat, such as the three in John Pilbeam's monograph, will always enthuse Mammillaria fans, and others with a particular interest in spiny cacti as a whole, but it is extremely difficult to emulate these spines in cultivation. Nevertheless, given bright conditions and not too much water, good quality spines should be attained. M. mystax FO 250 is described as having twisted black spines and we await reports on plants raised from this seed.
M. (Dolichothele) longimamma v. uberiformis is a taxon without the central spine of M. longimamma, which it otherwise resembles, with its long, large loosely set bright green tubercles and large canary yellow flowers, which appear in May/June. It is too good to miss!
Moving to the new seed there is one offering from the associated genera, namely Thelocactus garciae. This was described as recently as 1997 and, as I do not have a plant and the New Cactus Lexicon does not provide a description other than the flower colour, I have had to rely on the illustrations in the Atlas part of N.C.L. This shows a heavily spined plant in habitat and it is clear that spines of this length and strength will not be obtained in cultivation. There are about fifteen quite strong radial spines and two long, stout, dark brown centrals. This plant, of some size, has offsets. The number attaching to this plant is that of the Piltz catalogue and this is also the case with all the Mammillaria seed except for M. sinforosensis which came from Helmut Rogozinski. Where a second number follows the name, it is a Piltz field collection number.
Were there to be a prize for the most impressive Mammillaria species M. albicans would be a strong contender, for its general appearance and for its flowers. The fairly stout cylindrical body can reach a height of eight or nine inches and the tubercles are hidden by the numerous fairly long snow white radial spines, against which the central spines, white at the base, but dark brown for much of their length stand out clearly. To quote John Pilbeam, the flowers are a knockout, being wide opening with white to pale pink petals with a deep pink central stripe and deep purple-pink stigma. Lau 034 comes from Isla San Diego, Baja California. I have written about M. amajacensis elsewhere in this issue and the only additional comment that is needed is to report that a young plant raised from the Piltz seed and given to me by Mr Stanley, is definitely the genuine article.
I was captivated when I first saw M. buxbaumeriana in the collection of Sydney Woolcock quite some years ago. It stood out as being both different and colourful. It grows readily from seed and soon forms a cylindrical body which is covered by the spines, far stronger than those of M. densispina, to which it is closely related. The radial spines, about a dozen and a half in number, are glistening white and the central spines are dark brown to black. The pale yellow flowers appear in April, even on very young plants, in contrast to M. densispina, in my experience, over a long period of time. It is a must for every collection.
Plants bearing the unpublished epithet M. californica have been in circulation for some two decades, but it has never been plentiful in collections, despite presenting no cultivation problems. It is a form of M. sheldonii with somewhat thinner stems, clumping up from the base. The flowers, which appear freely in midsummer, are also somewhat paler, but are still very attractive. Michel Lacoste had done Mammillaria enthusiasts a good turn by making M. chiapensis available, as it deserves to be widely grown. The body is globose, and its final height in cultivation has yet to be established, but will probably be around eight inches. There are about a dozen and a half short glassy white radial spines and two centrals, honey yellow in the new growth but darkening with age. The flowers are carmine rose and my experience with a plant inherited from the late Sydney Woolcock is that bright conditions are a necessity if ample flowering is to be achieved.
Many of the plants in the Series Stylothelae have flowers that are of the M. bocasana type, namely white, cream or pale pink. M. zeilmanniana is one obvious exception and M. erythrosperma is, perhaps, the best example of species with carmine/magenta blooms. Over the years I have found that it is somewhat unpredictable in its growth rate, as have other members with whom I have spoken. This should be no deterrent, and as it grows on limestone rocks in habitat there is scope for trials with limestone chips in the compost.
It matters not to most of us who grow our plants primarily for the pleasure that they give us whether we regard M. fera-rubra as species or a subspecies of M. rhodantha. It is smaller growing than this latter, which may be an advantage for those of us who have space limitations; but its greatest merit is in its spines. They are stronger than those of M. rhodantha and their orange brown colour is both distinctive and charismatic. Carmine flowers appear freely from mid- to late summer.
The name M. gieseckii first appeared in 2001, in an article on M. dixanthocentron and related species by Helmut Rogozinski, in issue 3 of MAMMILLARIA AfM. A black and white illustration shows the plant in habitat but beyond revealing that it is somewhat cylindrical and has dense axillary wool, further deductions are not possible. The text reveals that it has about twenty glassy white radial spines 3-4 mm in length, two shorter reddish brown central spines and the flowers, presumably small, are deep carmine. This did not constitute a valid publication but, in the present context, this need not concern us. For lovers of white spined Mammillaria species, of whom I am one, this is a MUST.
M. gigantea flavovirens is also a Rogozinski name for his field number 537. The following details have been gleaned from a photograph of plants in the collection of Wolfgang Plein taken by Hugo de Cock. The spination is essentially that of M. gigantaea, namely four central spines, of which the lowest is much the longest, chocolate in colour when young but fading with age. They are stouter than those on my plant of M. gigantea. Most of the plants in the Plein collection are in flower and as they are clearly comparatively small it is reasonable to conclude that it flowers at a much earlier age than M. gigantea. The blooms are bright yellow with a broad reddish brown stripe on the outer perianths.
M. goodridgii is one of the small globular species in the Series Ancistracanthae from Baja California and, like M. louisae and M. blossfeldiana it is rather more temperamental in cultivation than columnar species such as M. armillata, M. dioica and M. fraileana. Additionally, it is slow growing and no attempt should be made to force it with fertiliser and excess water. An open compost and a bright warm position are also strongly advised. The flowers which appear in early to mid summer have white petals with a broad dull centre stripe and very attractive green stigma lobes.
I have had a plant of M. huiguerensis for quite some years and have long hoped that it would become more readily available; this we have now ensured. The body is rather flattened globular and as the diameter of my plant is about six inches it may well reach eight inches or so at maturity. There is a pleasing amount of white axillary wool. In his description Reppenhagen gives the length of the two central spines as 1 - 3 cm, but they barely reach 1 cm on my plant. That may be the result of insufficient light; however, my plant flowers freely, so I am quite content. The blooms are pale pink with a broad carmine central stripe.
Despite having been available for as long as I have been growing Mammillaria species (more than half a century) M. lloydii has never achieved the popularity it deserves. Perhaps its dull dark blue green body may deter enthusiasts even though there may be dense white axillary wool in the flowering area. At maturity it has a short cylindrical body, up to six inches in height, which remains solitary. The great merit of this species is that it presents no cultivation problems, and produces its cream flowers freely in May.
Conservative taxonomists now regard M. mendeliana as a subspecies of M. hahniana but I would be doing a disservice to those who do not know it if I did not emphasise the differences and the features that make it very desirable. It does not have the long white hair of M. hahniana, although there are some axillary bristles, but it does have 2 - 4 prominent central spines, brown when young, but fading to grey, and the lowest of these may be an inch in length if the plant is given a warm bright position. The flowers are very similar to those of M. hahniana.
With the exception of M. lewisiana and M. petrophila the straight spined species from Baja California are not particularly exciting, and of these two M. petrophila is the less frequently encountered in cultivation, something we can now remedy. Mrs Brandegee's description of 1904 gives it as solitary globular and to six inches tall and wide. My mature plant has reached just over a foot in height and has a dozen offsets about half way up the body. However, it has more than mere size. The strong central spines, one or two in number and up to an inch in length are of an eye-catching bright chocolate hue. The greenish yellow flowers appear in May.
Although Purpus described M. pilispina almost one hundred years ago it has remained little known, for no obvious reasons. It belongs to Series Proliferae, the best known member of which is M. prolifera, whose caespitose habit it follows. The individual heads are about two inches in diameter. The numerous radial spines are fine, white and pubescent, hence the name. There are six dark brown central spines, which stand out very clearly. The flowers appear quite freely in March/April, and are a harbinger of the new growing season.
I have lauded M. priessnitzii on several previous occasions, most notably in my article "Reppenhagen Revisited" and my comments are to be found on page 48 of the May 2006 issue. For the benefit of new members, it is a very outlying member of the M. magnimamma group that, once it reaches flowering age, produces copious axillary wool, from which deep carmine flowers emerge. They may not be so large as those on M. guelzowiana but they are equally charismatic. It is a must for every collection.
M. roseoalba is another species which, although long known taxonomically, has only come into circulation during recent years. It is definitely a plant for those with limited space as it is solitary and unlikely to outgrow a four inch pot. Each dark green angled tubercle bears four to six pale brown sub-central spines that I find satisfying on grounds of symmetry and these are complemented by the cream flowers in April/May.
M. formosa is a somewhat variable species, as I can vouch having built up a small collection of these forms. However, they are all recognizable as being M. formosa. Hence, although I cannot provide accurate details of plants from M. sp.aff. formosa Rog 326 seed. I can give a general indication of its probable appearance. They are likely to be solitary, although they may offset at maturity, with flattened globular bodies. There will be about two dozen thin white radial spines and five or six stronger, darker central spines, plus varying amounts of white axillary wool in the flowering area. The flowers, appearing in April/May will be pale pink. Reports, please, in due course!
In February 2007 we offered seed of M. sp Temoris, Rog 645 and Rog 653. This taxon has now been published as M. temorisensis and is a worthy addition to the straight spined species from north west Mexico. There are about twenty glassy white radial spines, which largely obscure the tubercles and four to six longer, stronger reddish brown centrals. When plants reach flowering size they produce copious amounts of white axillary wool, from which the bright carmine flowers emerge. Helmut Rogozinski has kindly provided us with seed from a third locality bearing the field number Rog 655, which will enable us to study the natural variability of this exciting new species.
Understandably, M. tepexicensis rapidly became a cult species once seed and plants became available, soon after it was described in 1991, as it is a miniature with charming flowers. It is not only one of the very few species with hooked central spines from southern Mexico; it has four to eight of them, all darkish brown, to emphasise the point. The flowers are somewhat tubular, being as long as they are wide and are very colourful, pink with a purple midstripe. Although solitary in habitat and slow in cultivation it will eventually form a small clump of heads.
M. vergelensis is an unpublished name. It is a red spined form of M. duwei from Presa El Vergel de Guadalupe, Guanojuato, on MEX-57, just south of the junction to San Luis de la Paz. It should grow readily from seed and flower at an early age.
M. verticealba is certainly related to M. rhodantha but equally certainly, it is readily distinguished from the latter, most obviously by virtue of its white woolly crown, from which the name derives. The axillary white wool provides the perfect back ground for the strong, dark brown central spines. Both should be at their best if the plant is grown in a bright warm position. As with M. rhodantha, it produces carmine flowers freely from mid- to late summer.