Growth Habits: The plants growth habit when young is to stay as a single body, but as it reaches maturity it is not unknown for the plant to start to clump up. The body of the plant when young is a globular shape but as it ages it becomes slightly taller than it is wide, approx. 4in. (10cm.), x 3in. (7.5cm.). The body has the tightly packed tubercles common to many Mammillaria and there is an abundance of white wool between the tubercles. Radial spine: 22 - 24, bristle-like, white, to 8 mm (0.3 in) long. Central spine: 2 - 4, rarely as many as 6, white with darker tips, to 6 mm (0.2 in) long.
Scientific name: Mammillaria chionocephala
Common names:I am not aware of any at this time.
Synonym: Mammillaria caerulea, Mammillaria formosa ssp chionocephala, Mammillaria ritteriana
Etymology: Mammillaria: From the Latin word mammilla, meaning nipple or teat.
Origin: Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Durango, Mexico. Altitude 1.800 to 2.400 m.
Light: Good light is required for this plant.
Compost: The compost should be well drained. This particular plant really enjoys having some limestone added to the compost, as do many plants that have woolly growths on them.
Water: Water with care, this plant is a lot more sensitive towards water than many Mammillarias
Flower: Pretty nondescript, like most Mammillaria flowers, they appear between the tubercles and are Pinkish white, 0.4 inches in diameter (1 cm). They come in spring and flushes of them appear intermittently into the summer.
Fruit: The fruit is carmine red, with brown seeds inside.
Min. temp: Will probably stand down to 45°f (8°C) without too much trouble, if kept dry and in not too humid an atmosphere.
Cultivation: Cultivation is not difficult but the plant is slow growing and should not be rushed
Habitat: The habitat of the plant extends over a wide area, therefore no specific details can be given, apart from the fact that the plant can encounter cold conditions at night but beware this does not mean that your own cultivated plant will accept the same conditions.
Comments: A slow grower that forms columns with alternating bands of heavy white wool, between areas of less wool. An attractive plant, particularly for lovers of the genus. A cool winter rest period seems to help with flowering.