Mammillaria solisioides?

I have had this plant for a number of years, and it has never flowered for me. Its label is long gone and while I have always thought of it as M. solisioides, it does bear some non-conformity to the standard. In another forum someone suggested M. crucigera, but my plant lacks central spines altogether and, as you can see further down the body, the areoles tend to an almost-pectinate distribution of the spines. Plus, it has never attempted to split dichotomously (those two heads to the right are regular "pups". Any idea of what it might be and how can I get it to flower?

Well, my plant decided to flower after all. I still have no clue as to what it is. Any thoughts? Please?

If it weren't for the elongated areoles, I would be certain that it is a form of M. huitzilopochtlii. I have seen this species with rather elliptical areoles but I have not seen one with such a pectinate form.

Hmmm.....it's a puzzle!

Hopefully others will see this and add their thoughts....please.

Thank you, Chris, and a happy 2012 for you.

I would suggest that this is tlalocii. If it was crucigera I would expect the head to have divided by how has it seems to be a old plant.

The thread in the photo gallery is worth a look - Mamm's A to Z - Starting with C - crucigera.

Good morning, Tam (and a happy 2012 for you too). Thank you, it looks promising. It is an "old" plant indeed, I've had it for 20 years or so. I must have bought it from Whitestone or Abbey Brooks, but I can't be sure.