Mammillaria nejapensis f. variegated (Variegated)

The variegated form of this species is highly appreciated by green collectors for its characteristic yellow spots, in the points, where there is a lack of chlorophyll. This characteristic makes this plant unique in its genus; it is impossible to find the same one. Sometimes considered more correctly as a subspecies of the Mammillaria karwinskiana. This cactacea has a globular body, sometimes becomes slightly cylindrical with the growth, which widens in the upper part. It is equipped with dense pyramidal tubercles arranged geometrically, which are connected with each other by thin white, rather twisted bristles. Mammillaria nejapensis often has long spines in the shape of an awl (up to 5 cm long), very robust and sometimes with slightly curved tips, of an ivory color with dark spots. However, sometimes the spines are almost totally absent or in any case are very short, which is why quite often it is preferred to divide them between “brevispina” and “longispina”. Between spring and summer, at the apex, a graceful corolla of small diurnal and funnel-shaped flowers is highlighted; they are of a typical light yellow color, with a dark red central stripe on the petals.