Mammillaria supertexta

Mammillaria supertexta is a small cactus in the Cactaceae family. Kew records its native range as Puebla and Oaxaca, Mexico. LLIFLE gives a narrower range in Oaxaca’s Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley. It grows in dry scrub and several forest types. These include tropical forests that shed their leaves and pine-juniper woods. Plants also grow on limestone cliffs. Its reported elevation range is 1,312–7,218 feet [400–2,200 metres].

Young plants start with a single stem, then form clumps. New branches grow from the base and stem sides. Each green stem is round or egg-shaped, with the broader end above. Stems reach 0.33–0.43 feet [0.10–0.13 metres] tall. Their width is about 0.26–0.33 feet [0.08–0.10 metres]. These measurements describe single stems, not the whole clump. The stem tip has a small dip. Closely packed tubercles cover the body and bear short spines. Thick wool fills the gaps, almost hiding the tubercles.

Each spine cluster has 16–18 slender, stiff radial spines. These white spines spread out, with longer ones below. They reach about 0.016 feet [0.005 metres] long. Most clusters also have two short central spines. Some have one or three, while others lack them. The central spines are white with dark brown tips. Small flowers form a ring along the stem’s sides. They range from pale purple-red to deeper shades. They sit below the tip rather than near it. Bloom comes in autumn, with November flowering reported in habitat. The bright red to crimson fruits have a club shape. They contain brown seeds.

LLIFLE describes this cactus as easy to grow and flower. It accepts full sun or a little shade. Give it regular summer water, but avoid too much. Keep it dry through winter. LLIFLE reports cold tolerance down to 25°F [-4°C]. Growers can raise plants from seed or use available offsets. Its woolly stems and rings of flowers provide ornamental interest.

LLIFLE reports the species as Endangered, citing a 2013 IUCN assessment. It links its decline to expanding farms and cattle use. The supplied sources give no specific pest or disease records. They also provide no evidence for edible parts or medicinal uses. They do not establish whether the plant is toxic.