| Mammillaria albiflora | |
|---|---|
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| Conservation status | |
 Critically Endangered (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Mammillaria |
| Species: | M. albiflora |
| Binomial name | |
| Mammillaria albiflora (Werderm.) Backeb. | |
Mammillaria albiflora is a critically endangered species of cactus.
The botanist David Hunt initially considered it "probably just a phase" of Mammillaria herrerae. Other students of the Mammillaria genus disagreed, including Charlie Glass, and Hunt eventually accepted it as a distinct species. M. albiflora is more slender than M. herrerae, with typically solitary stems about 2 cm wide and at least 5 cm tall. It has fewer radial spines (60–80, compared to 100+ in M. herrerae) but larger flowers, up to 3.5 cm long, white with a faint pinkish hue under good light. The fruit hides beneath the spines but remains external to the plant body, similar to M. herrerae. The seeds are black and require careful handling to locate.
Mammillaria albiflora is native to the Mexican state of Guanajuato, found south of Pozos at altitudes between 2,160 and 2,200 metres (7,090 and 7,220 ft), including along the road to San José Iturbide and at La Calera—locations roughly 50 km or more from the range of M. herrerae. It grows on sloping calcareous rock in semi-desert. Because it occurs in only one location with a limited range and its population is continuously declining, it is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The chief threat to its survival is illegal plant collecting by both amateurs and commercial collectors. A part of the location was fenced off in an attempt to protect it, but the fence was soon breached. The population fell from about 10,000 to about 5,000 individuals from 1993 to 2013.
Mammillaria albiflora is illegally collected or commercially cultivated to be grown as an ornamental plant. It is propagated worldwide and may be found in international trade. It is challenging to cultivate, apparently resenting peat and acidic humus in potting mix. A mixture containing some limestone is likely beneficial. Successful growth also requires maximum sun exposure, which is crucial for flowering.
References
- ^ Fitz Maurice, B.; Fitz Maurice, W.A.; Sánchez , E.; Guadalupe Martínez, J.; Bárcenas Luna, R. (2013). "Mammillaria albiflora". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T40824A2934715. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T40824A2934715.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Pilbeam, John (1999). Mammillaria. Cactus file handbook. Cirio Publishing Services. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-9528302-8-3. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Mammillaria albiflora |
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| Mammillaria herrerae var. albiflora | |