Longmamma nipple cactus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Longmamma nipple cactus |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Mammillaria
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| Species: |
sphaerica
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The Mammillaria sphaerica is a cool type of cactus. People also call it the longmamma nipple cactus or pale mammillaria. It's a species of flowering plant that belongs to the cactus family, Cactaceae.
This cactus naturally grows in southeastern Texas, USA, and northeastern Mexico. You can find it in small groups. It grows in places up to 1,000 meters (about 3,280 feet) high.
What Does This Cactus Look Like?
The Mammillaria sphaerica grows in groups of small, light green balls. These balls can be up to 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) wide. The name sphaerica means "spherical" or "ball-shaped," which describes it perfectly!
This cactus has short hairs on its surface. In the summer, it grows pretty pale yellow flowers. These flowers can be up to 3 centimeters (about 1.2 inches) wide.
Is This Cactus Safe?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) keeps track of how many plants and animals are left. They list the Mammillaria sphaerica as "Least Concern." This means there are still plenty of them in the wild, and they are not in danger of disappearing soon.
How to Grow and Care for This Cactus
If you want to grow a Mammillaria sphaerica, here are some tips. This cactus can handle temperatures as low as 1 degree Celsius (about 34 degrees Fahrenheit). But it cannot survive if it freezes.
It also needs to stay dry during the winter months. Because of this, it's often best to grow it indoors in a greenhouse if you live in a cooler place. It likes soil that drains water very well. It also needs soil that doesn't have too many nutrients. Make sure it gets lots of sunlight!
This special plant has even won an award! The Royal Horticultural Society gave it their Award of Garden Merit. This award means it's a great plant for gardens.
