Mammillaria painteri

Mammillaria painteri
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Genus:	Mammillaria
Species:	M. painteri
Binomial name
Mammillaria painteri Rose ex Quehl

Mammillaria painteri is a species of plant in the Cactaceae family. It is endemic to Mexico. It is usually found near, but not limited to, San Juan del Rio, Guanajuato. It is commonly referred to as the biznaguita in Spanish. It is also known by many to be synonymous with Mammillaria crinita subspecies crinita. It was evaluated and added to the IUCN Redlist in 2002 as data deficient. The causes of this species' endangerment or threats to its well-being are not clear.

Description

Mammillaria painteri is evergreen, meaning it keeps its leaves and color throughout all the seasons of the year. It is characterized by small, spherical mounds that sprout conical or cylindrical tubercles. The globose mounds, or stems, are dark green and can range from one to eight centimeters in height and diameter. In its monstrous form, Mammillaria painteri forma mostruosa, it can grow to be larger than that. The mounds may be clustered together or singular. It typically has white or pale light yellow flowers. Rarely, it will sometimes produce light pink or magenta flowers as well. The flowers are shallow and funnel-shaped.

This species is known to withstand temperatures down to at least -2 or -5 degrees Celsius if kept completely dry. It is not known to do well in direct, intense sunlight, mainly in summer months. It is also sensitive to red spider mite.

Sources

• Fitz Maurice, W.A. & Fitz Maurice, B. 2002. Mammillaria painteri. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 22 August 2007.
• Craig, Robert T. "M. bocasana, M. painteri." The Mammillaria Handbook, with Descriptions, Illustrations, and Key to the Species of the Genus Mammillaria of the Cactaceae. Pasadena: Abbey Garden, 1945. 211. Print
• De Candolle. "Mammillaria Crinita Ssp Crinita." Mammillaria | All About Mammillaria Cactus Genus. Mammillaria, 15 May 2003. Web. 27 Sept. 2011. <http://mammillarias.net>.
• "Mammillaria Painteri Forma Mostruosa." Cactus-art. Web. 27 Sept. 2011. [1].