Mammillaria mammillaris

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It can occur singly or in clumps. The stems are rounded or short cylinder shape. They are green and shiny. They are 20 cm across. There are 3-5 central spines with dark tips and 7-8 mm long. Then 10-16 spines around these. They are 5-8 mm long. The flowers are funnel shaped and creamy white. They are 10-12 mm long. The fruit are club shaped and red. They are 10-20 mm long. The seeds are small, brown and rough.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical America.

Countries/locations it is found in

America, Aruba, Central America, Colombia, Lesser Antilles, South America, Trinidad, Tobago, Venezuela, West Indies, Winward Is.

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. The plant yields a milky juice that is sweet and wholesome.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Buchito

Synonyms

Cactus mammillaris Linnaeus; Mammillaria simplex Haworth; Mammillaria pseudosimplex Haage & Backeberg; and others