Its name derives from Greek and literally means "flower at the apex", referring to the main feature that distinguishes this genus from the similar Mammillaria: the presence of lively inflorescences which bloom exactly on the top of the stem. These are spherical cacti, of a small size and slow growing, which have alternating tubercles instead of ribs. The spines are typically arranged in a radius on the areoles, giving to the plant a precise and perfectly geometric look. Its strong point, together with easy cultivation, is its showy and brightly colored flower, which is generally solitary, however your cactacea can give you an incredible view of more inflorescences blooming at the same time! Here are some tips for its cultivation: It requires a lot of light throughout the year, however, avoid direct sunlight especially during the hottest hours of the day. It is preferable to keep it at mild temperatures and never below 5 °C, for this reason it is recommended to shelter it during the winter period. Water moderately only when the soil is completely dry. It is enough to water it once a week in spring and summer, reduce it to once every two months in autumn and suspend it completely in winter. The best soil is a well draining, formed by a mix of peat and pumice to avoid water stagnation. They do not need frequent fertilization, it is sufficient to dilute the fertilizer with watering once a year.