Mammillaria plumosa, the feather cactus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae, native to Northeastern Mexico.

Mammillaria plumosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Mammillaria
Species:
M. plumosa
Binomial name
Mammillaria plumosa

It grows to 12 cm (5 in) tall by 40 cm (16 in) broad. The clustering spherical stems, 7 cm (3 in) in diameter, are completely covered in white downy spines. White or greenish yellow flowers are borne in late summer.[2]

Its status is listed as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN Red List.[1]

Cultivation edit

Mammillaria plumosa is one of several Mammillaria species to be cultivated.[3] In temperate regions it must be grown under glass with heat. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4][5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Fitz Maurice, B.; Sotomayor, M.; Fitz Maurice, W.A.; Hernández, H.M.; Smith, M. (2017). "Mammillaria plumosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T152687A121545109. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T152687A121545109.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  3. ^ "Cactus Art - Mammillaria plumosa". Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  4. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Mammillaria plumosa". Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  5. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 63. Retrieved 3 April 2018.