Mammillaria heyderi Var. Applanata f. variegata

The variegated shape of this cactus presents yellowish shades in the exact points of the epidermis where there is a lack of chlorophyll; such 'stains' will never be identical in two or more plants making each of them unique and highly appreciated by collectors around the world. In the normal form this beautiful cactus has a globose shape, slightly depressed at the apex and during the cold seasons it flattens on the ground to defend itself. It has rather pronounced conical tubercles, among which, especially when the plant is young, a white and soft down comes out. The radial spines are thin and straight, short and radiated, of a pale yellow, almost whitish; the central spines are instead generally one or two, longer and reddish, protruding outwards.