Identification of some cacti

[iann]

That's not a typical M. parkinsonii though. They generally have creamy flowers with at most a pale pink stripe, and the lower spine is the long one not the upper. Might be M. hahniana ssp woodsii. It looks a lot like you'd expect from a cross between the two of them

[Chris43]

No, its not parkinsonii, of that I am sure. It is quite difficult to be certain, though it looks a well grown plant, but coming from a garden centre hybrid origin cannot be ruled out. Whatever it may be, it isn't a "standard" form.

I think also that you can't rule out it being a form of hahniana, as these can vary quite a lot, and there are forms with longer spines. But also consider that it might be a form of M. chionocephala, whose spine length also varies quite a lot, from short in the normal form, to quite long and darker in the "ritteriana" form, though this tends to have less wool than the species. The flowers are a lighter pink, not as dark as hahniana, though the photo might not reflect the colour fully.

The only other species that I would think about is klissingiana though I don't think it is this really, as the tubercles of this are quite densely packed. Some (mostly in Germany) say that the hahniana that we know well is only a klissingiana with much longer wool and more flexible longer radial spines. All the other forms they call by saetigera. However, I don't think it is one of these.

You'll find a wide selection of forms at http://mammillaria.forumotion.net/t1047 ... onocephala, and http://mammillaria.forumotion.net/t1283 ... ritteriana

If I had to plump for one, I would probably choose chionocephala, though its not a common plant in nurseries.

[iann]

I think M. chionocephala is a very likely name. Should perhaps be the first thing you think of for a plant with this sort of extremely dense banded wool. The top spine of two being longer is also common in M. chionocephala.

[AdamL]

Thanks a lot, Chris and Ian! Your replies have been very helpful indeed!

[anttisepp]

I think M. chionocephala is a very likely name. <...>

Agree. And Gymn. is certainly monvillei/multiflorum.