About Mammillaria elongata DC.
Mammillaria elongata DC. is a cactus that grows into dense clusters of cylindrical stems. These stems are either erect or semi-prostrate, measuring 6 to 15 cm long and 1.5 to 3.7 cm in diameter. The bright green stem body is made up of short conical tubercles that are 2 to 4 mm in size. Young stem segments have round, woolly areoles at the tip of each tubercle, while the axils between tubercles have no wool. This cactus produces 15 to 30 short radial spines, 6 to 12 mm long. These spines curve outward and overlap with spines from adjacent areoles. It also has 1 to 3 central spines, which are yellow or golden; central spines are sometimes absent. Flowers grow from the upper portion of stems, and are 1.5 cm in both length and diameter. The flower petals are pale yellow or white, with toothed edges, and sometimes have a darker or reddish central stripe. Fruits range in shape from cylindrical to globose, and are brown or red, containing many seeds. Mammillaria elongata DC. blooms heavily from late winter to early summer.
