This species is prized for its spination borne in pectinate arrangement on elongate areoles. Central spines are lacking. In this collection the spines are about twice the normal length to 25 mm, and are flexible and straw-colored, giving a swirled, bird-nest look reminiscent of some forms of Mammillaria camptotricha. The deep red-violet flowers make a striking contrast. Rooted offsets—beginning to clump—of HBG 66247, a plant received from Victor Turecek (86-28) ex Ernst Zecher. The species is native to Bolivia; Dept. Chuquisaca, Sucre, near the road to Los Alamos, at 2950 m altitude. $6.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 84 (2), March - April, 2012