Mammillaria melanocentra

Cactus with globose stem, slightly depressed at the apex, which may become slightly cylindrical with growth not exceeding the 12-15 cm of height. It is composed from pyramidal and strongly protruding tubercles, separated by a slight whitish fluff that the more mature ones will tend to lose. It has thin and clear radial thorns, of rather variable length, and a single central thorn shaped like a very long awl (even 3 or 4 cm!), usually facing upwards with its peculiar dark brown hue, that while growing will tend to assume greyish shades. In spring the apex of M. melanocentra will be crowned by many white or pink flowers, enriched by a peculiar red-bordeaux central stripe that won’t certainly let them be unnoticed!