Mammillaria obscura

Mammillaria obscura
The untypified taxon, with no locality other than Mexico cited, is probably referable to M.petterssonii.
Craig allied it to M.wagneriana.
It is a dubious name



Mammillaria obscura SB 1
SB 1 - Fresnillo - Zacatecas - Mexico

Mammaillaria obscura SB 10
SB 10 - Durango - Durango - Mexico
From Prof. Carlo Zanovello "Il Sole Rarità Botaniche" private collection








Mammaillaria obscura SB 10
SB 10 - Durango - Durango - Mexico

Mammillaria obscura v. wagneriana tortulospina   R.T. Craig 1945


















Mammillaria obscura v. tortullispina

From "The Journal of the Mammillaria Society" - vol.49 - n.2 - pagg.43/44

During the past fifty years I have seen an appreciable number of mature specimens of M. gigantea which, without exception, have been solitary, globular or slightly elongated. My plant of Lau 1118 was globular initially but soon began to elongate and has now reached the height of ten inches. However, several years ago it produced an offset at the base, which is now elongating. There are seven
additional offsets above this, globular at present, but they will doubtless elongate
a few years hence.
Turning to the spination, the radial spines number 5 - 7, the upper two vestigial, white with brown tips. There are 1 - 2 central spines, usually the latter, quite strong and longer than the radials, brown to dark brown at their tips. These spinal characteristics are in very reasonable agreement with M. wagneriana and, in this connection, Dr Lau’s field notes for L 1119 are of relevance. This plant grows in the same area as Lau 1118, but at a higher altitude. Dr Lau writes “It has been regarded as the lost M. obscura and should be intensively investigated”.
Current thinking is that M. obscura is a synonym of M. wagneriana. Hence I am satisfied that this name should attach to Lau 1118.


Mammillaria sp LAU 1118
LAU 1118 - Huejuquilla-San Juan Capistrano, 1000/1700m - Jalisco - Mexico