Mammillaria matudae clearly demonstrates the Mammillaria genus' typical rings of lateral flowers that appear only on new growth. This species produces several rings of flowers simultaneously, most of which bloom at the same time. Although the flowers are small, their number and reddish-purple color are eye-catchingM. matudae is a fast growing cactus that topples under its own weight, then continues to sprawl along the ground in a snake-like fashion. It will grow over or around anything in its path. The two arms of my M. matudae are 10 and 12 inches now, and already leaning. It will continue to lean and eventually become too unwieldy for a pot.
After the flowers are spent, M. matudae produces greenish fruits that eventually dry and fall off. The attractiveness of the flowers and fruit makes this rather nondescript cactus interesting through fall.
7 comments:
This is the one cactus I have that just bloomed also...I don't see any signs of the fruits yet...can't wait to see if it happens!!! You have beautiful multi rows of flowers...NICE!!!!!
They remind me of wedding flower girls with a crown of flowers 'round their heads. Do the rings of flowers only go around or also over the top?
Julie,
Be sure and post a photo when they blossom.
Nikkipolani,
What you see is what you get. They grow in a ring, and don't go to the top. If I leave some fruits on or mark the area where these flower are this year, it would be obvious how much the cactus has grown when it blooms next year.
LOL, I was just going to say the same thing as Anne said. Those tiny flowers do look like a crown of blooms on a flowergirl!! Or a garden faery! How sweet that cactus is!
You certainly have some gorgeous cacti! I love coming here to see what is next.
I think this is the first that I've ever seen a flowering cactus.
Arlene,
Bainbridge Island florist
It looks as if this the flowers are weighing down the cactus. The flowers are a beautiful colour.
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