Geometric Perfection: Mammillaria perezdelarosae A masterpiece of botanical symmetry, this rare Mexican globose cactus is a high-priority acquisition for the discerning succulent connoisseur.

1. Origin & History of Name: The species name perezdelarosae honors Jorge Pérez de la Rosa, a Mexican botanist and pine specialist who discovered the plant. It was formally described in 1985 by Bravo and Scheinvar. The name reflects the late-20th-century era of intensive botanical exploration in the remote highlands of Jalisco.
2. Morphology: This cactus features a globose (spherical) to short-cylindrical stem. Its most striking feature is its dense covering of pectinate (comb-like) white radial spines that obscure the dark green epidermis. From the center of each areole, a single, dark, hooked central spine emerges, creating a sharp visual contrast. It produces ring-like displays of small, cream-to-pink funnelform flowers near the apex.
3. Habitat & Origin: This is a wild species endemic to the Mexican state of Jalisco, specifically found growing in volcanic rock crevices at high altitudes. All specimens offered for sale are nursery-propagated via seed or grafting; we strictly oppose the poaching of wild populations to ensure the survival of this "Vulnerable" rated species in its natural habitat.
4. Cultivation Profile:
   • Substrate: Use a strictly mineral-based mix (70% grit/pumice/perlite, 30% organic matter). In the humid Indian climate, ensure the pot is porous (terracotta is ideal) to prevent root rot.
   • Light: High-intensity filtered sunlight. In India, protect from the scorching afternoon sun in May/June to prevent epidermis scorching, but maximize light during the monsoon to prevent etiolation (stretching).
   • Water/Dormancy: Follow a "soak and dry" method. Stop watering almost entirely from November to February during the winter dormancy. During the Indian monsoon, keep the plant in a rain-sheltered, well-ventilated area.
5. Scientific/Historical Anecdote: For a long time, M. perezdelarosae was considered a subspecies of Mammillaria bombycina. However, DNA sequencing and morphological studies of its unique hooked central spines and its specific isolation in the Jalisco mountains eventually confirmed its status as a distinct, standalone species.