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Mammillaria parkinsonii

Accession Count: 5
Common Name: owl eye pincushion
Family Name: Cactaceae
Botanical Name: Mammillaria parkinsonii
Synonyms:
Botanical Synonyms: Cactus parkinsonii, Neomammillaria parkinsonii
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics: Mammillaria parkinsonii is a spiny blue-green cactus with spherical or cylindrical stems, often in clusters, and prominent tubercle. Each stem is less than six inches tall and four to six inches around (1), branching through dichotomic division as plants mature (2). White, radial spines are present, as well as curved, brown central spines (3). During spring or summer, funnel-shaped yellow to pink flowers appear in a ring at the apex of the stem (4, 3). Following are red fruits less than 3/8 inches in length (1).
Compound: Mam par
Geographic Origin: Mexico
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History: Mammillaria parkinsonii is highly drought tolerant and good for small containers, leading to its popularity in nurseries for ornamental use. However, it is also endangered, being listed as an IUCN Redlist Endangered Species (5). For over a century, M. parkinsonii has been illegally collected, and suffered habitat fragmentation and degradation, leading to a decline of the species. Due to its rarity, it may not be commonly available in nurseries, gardens, or stores. 
The plant was discovered by Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg in 1840, with notable synonyms including Cactus parkinsonii and Neomammillaria parkinsonii (6).
Cultivation Notes: Mammillaria parkinsonii is a summer growing plant that is considered easy to cultivate. Provide full sun, and water regularly in summer, allowing the soil to completely dry between waterings. Do not water during the winter (2). Feed every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer (3). At the same time, ensure that soil is well draining, and mildly acidic to mildly alkaline (2). 
Propagation is possible from seed, from woody stem cuttings, from rhizomes or tubers, as well as by offsets from the mother plant (7). Frequent transplantation of young plants protects the lower stem from lignification - any rot should be cut away immediately.
Ethnobotany: M. parkinsonii has no recorded ethnobotanical uses independent of its genus, but has been valued as an ornamental cactus in cultivation (8). More generally, the mammillaria genus has been used to treat ear-ache, dysentery, and poison. Cacti from this genus have also been used as an insecticide, snake repellent, pulicide, and purgative (9).
Height: 0 - 5 feet
Width: 0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate: Slow Growing
Grow Season: Summer
Flower Season: ForeSummer
Color: Yellow
Function: Patio
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Low water Use
Citations:
1. FloraFinder. Retrieved May 1st, 2020.
2. The Encyclopedia of Cacti. Retrieved May 1st, 2020.
3. RHS Inspiring Everyone to Grow. Retrieved May 1st, 2020.
4. The University of Vermont. Retrieved May 1st, 2020.
5. University of Connecticut. Retrieved May 1st, 2020.
6. Tropicos. Retrieved May 1st, 2020.
7. Dave’s Garden. Retrieved May 1st, 2020.
8. Blackwood, W. (1872). The Gardener, a Magazine of Horticulture and Floriculture, Cornell University.
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Mammillaria parkinsonii