Mammillaria flavicentra
Mammillaria flavicentra
Mammillaria flavicentra
Mammillaria flavicentra Backeb. ex Mottram is treated as an accepted taxon in Plants of the World Online.1
The current source-backed classification places it in Cactaceae within Mammillaria.12
Its recorded native range/source remark is MXS, MEXICO, MXSJA, MXSCL, MXCME, NORTHERNAMERICA, MXSGR, MXCTL, MXSNA, MXCMO, MXC_DF, MXC; Mexico (Puebla, Oaxaca).1
POWO records the plant context as succulent subshrub or lithophyte, desert or dry shrubland.1
This is a source-populated draft intended for later Kaktus Doktoru editorial rewriting; care advice and morphology should be reviewed before publication.
References
- Plants of the World Online. "Mammillaria flavicentra Backeb. ex Mottram". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Accessed: 2026-06-10. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:50425669-2 ↩
- GBIF Secretariat. "Mammillaria flavicentra". GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Accessed: 2026-06-10. https://www.gbif.org/species/8031589 ↩
Plants In This Group
Mammillaria flavicentra
Mammillaria flavicentra
Mammillaria flavicentra is a slow-growing, cylindrical, and highly attractive cactus species belonging to the Cactaceae family. In its natural habitat, it thrives on rocky surfaces and dry shrublands.
Taxonomy and Naming
It belongs to the genus Mammillaria within the family Cactaceae. The specific epithet 'flavicentra' is derived from the Latin 'flavus' (yellow) and 'centrum' (center), referring to the prominent yellow central spines clustered at the plant's apex 1.
Distribution and Habitat
This species is endemic to southern Mexico, particularly in the states of Oaxaca and Puebla. It typically grows at elevations of 1,000 to 2,000 meters above sea level on limestone hills, arid valley slopes, and as a lithophyte in rocky crevices 2.
Appearance
The stem is usually solitary but may branch sparsely from the base with age. The stem color ranges from light green to grayish-green. The body is densely covered with whitish radial spines, while the 4-6 central spines are a striking golden-yellow or brownish-yellow. In late spring, it produces small, funnel-shaped pinkish-red flowers in a ring near the crown.
Cultivation Care
It performs exceptionally well in bright, filtered sunlight or partial sun. Avoid overwatering; allow the substrate to dry out completely between waterings. During winter, watering must be suspended almost entirely.
Common Mistakes
The most frequent mistake is using poorly draining pots or heavy soil mixtures, combined with excessive watering. This easily leads to root rot. Keeping the cactus wet during cold winter months is also fatal.