Mammillaria: Difference between revisions

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Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Mammillaria | image = Mammillaria_hahniana.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Cacteae | genus = '''Mammillaria''' | authority = Haworth (1812) | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). The largest and most popular genus in the family Cactaceae. }} == Etymology == The name is derived from the Latin ''mammilla'' (nipple or teat), referring to the characteristic tubercles (mammillae) that..."
 
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# '''Subgenus Dolichothele'''
# '''Subgenus Dolichothele'''
# '''Subgenus Cochemiea''' (Partial inclusion)
# '''Subgenus Cochemiea''' (Partial inclusion)
=== Species List 1-20 ===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! Species !! Subspecies (according to Lodé)
|-
| [[Mammillaria albicoma]] || —
|-
| [[Mammillaria albiflora]] || —
|-
| [[Mammillaria albilanata]] ||
* [[Mammillaria albilanata subsp. albilanata]]
* [[Mammillaria albilanata subsp. oaxacana]]
* [[Mammillaria albilanata subsp. reppenhagenii]]
* [[Mammillaria albilanata subsp. tegelbergiana]]
|-
| [[Mammillaria anniana]] || —
|-
| [[Mammillaria aureilanata]] ||
* [[Mammillaria aureilanata subsp. aureilanata]]
* [[Mammillaria aureilanata subsp. alba]]
|-
| [[Mammillaria backebergiana]] ||
* [[Mammillaria backebergiana subsp. backebergiana]]
* [[Mammillaria backebergiana subsp. ernestii]]
|-
| [[Mammillaria barbata]] || —
|-
| [[Mammillaria baumii]] || —
|-
| [[Mammillaria beneckei]] || —
|-
| [[Mammillaria bertholdii]] || —
|-
| [[Mammillaria blossfeldiana]] || —
|-
| [[Mammillaria bocasana]] ||
* [[Mammillaria bocasana subsp. bocasana]]
* [[Mammillaria bocasana subsp. eschauzieri]]
|-
| [[Mammillaria bocensis]] || —
|-
| [[Mammillaria boelderliana]] || —
|-
| [[Mammillaria bombycina]] ||
* [[Mammillaria bombycina subsp. bombycina]]
* [[Mammillaria bombycina subsp. perezdelarosae]]
|-
| [[Mammillaria boolii]] || —
|-
| [[Mammillaria brandegeei]] ||
* [[Mammillaria brandegeei subsp. brandegeei]]
* [[Mammillaria brandegeei subsp. gabbii]]
* [[Mammillaria brandegeei subsp. glareosa]]
* [[Mammillaria brandegeei subsp. lewisiana]]
|-
| [[Mammillaria capensis]] || —
|-
| [[Mammillaria carmenae]] || —
|-
| [[Mammillaria carretii]] || —
|}


== Species List ==
== Species List ==

Revision as of 17:30, 9 April 2026

Mammillaria
File:Mammillaria hahniana.jpg
Kingdom Plantae
Family Cactaceae
Subfamily Cactoideae
Tribe Cacteae
SubTribe
Genus Mammillaria
Species
Notes Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). The largest and most popular genus in the family Cactaceae.

Etymology

The name is derived from the Latin mammilla (nipple or teat), referring to the characteristic tubercles (mammillae) that cover the plant's body instead of ribs.

Description

Mammillaria is the most diverse and widely cultivated genus of cacti. It is defined by several unique morphological features that distinguish it from all other members of the tribe Cacteae.

Morphological Key Features

  • Tubercles (Mammillae): The plant body is covered in spirally arranged tubercles rather than ribs. These are organized in mathematical patterns (Fibonacci sequences).
  • Dimorphic Areoles: The areole is split into two distinct parts:
    • The Apex (Tip): Bears the spines.
    • The Axil (Base): Located between the tubercles, this is where flowers, fruits, and new offsets (branches) emerge.
  • Floral Ring: Flowers typically appear in a circular "crown" around the previous year's growth, rather than from the very top of the plant.
  • Sap: Species are often categorized by their sap:
    • Hydrochyle: With watery sap (mostly desert species).
    • Galactochyle: With milky latex (often more robust, mountain species).

Habitat and Ecology

Mammillarias are found in a vast range of environments—from coastal plains and limestone deserts to high-altitude pine forests. They have evolved incredible survival mechanisms, such as dense wool or hooked spines for protection and camouflage.

Distribution

  • Primary Center of Diversity: Mexico.
  • Extending to: Southwestern USA, Caribbean, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, and Venezuela.

Classification by Joël Lodé

Following the taxonomy of Joël Lodé (2015), the genus is maintained in a broad sense but strictly organized. Lodé recognizes:

  • 160 Species
  • 149 Subspecies

The genus is further divided into subgenera and sections based on seed morphology and floral structure:

  1. Subgenus Mammillaria (The largest group)
  2. Subgenus Phellosperma
  3. Subgenus Dolichothele
  4. Subgenus Cochemiea (Partial inclusion)

Species List 1-20

Species Subspecies (according to Lodé)
Mammillaria albicoma
Mammillaria albiflora
Mammillaria albilanata
Mammillaria anniana
Mammillaria aureilanata
Mammillaria backebergiana
Mammillaria barbata
Mammillaria baumii
Mammillaria beneckei
Mammillaria bertholdii
Mammillaria blossfeldiana
Mammillaria bocasana
Mammillaria bocensis
Mammillaria boelderliana
Mammillaria bombycina
Mammillaria boolii
Mammillaria brandegeei
Mammillaria capensis
Mammillaria carmenae
Mammillaria carretii

Species List

Note: Due to the large number of taxa, the species list is organized alphabetically and by sub-groups. See the sub-pages for detailed descriptions of each species.

Mammillaria Species List (A-Z)

Taxonomy

Lodé rejects the extreme splitting of the genus but also excludes certain groups like Mammilloydia and Cochemiea (partially) based on modern molecular phylogenetics which show they are distinct lineages. His work in Volume 2 (pp. 6-111) remains the most comprehensive modern treatment of the genus.