About Mammillaria plumosa F.A.C.Weber
Mammillaria plumosa, commonly called feather cactus, is a flowering plant species in the cactus family Cactaceae. It is native to Northeastern Mexico. This species grows up to 12 cm (5 in) tall and 40 cm (16 in) wide. It forms clusters of spherical stems that measure 7 cm (3 in) in diameter. These stems are completely covered in white downy spines. The spines have very long hairs arranged like the segments of a bird's feather, which protect the plant from the intense blistering sun of the desert. White or greenish yellow flowers appear on the plant in late summer. The IUCN Red List lists the conservation status of Mammillaria plumosa as Near Threatened. Mammillaria plumosa is one of the Mammillaria species that is regularly cultivated. In temperate regions, it must be grown under heated glass to survive. This species has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
