Central spines sulphur-yellow; otherwise like the species. Type unknown.
San Luis Potosi.
Specimens examined: San Luis Potosi (Pfeiffer, with no number or date; Eschanzier of 1891).
The varietal distinction maintained seems a small one, but it is constant and striking, so far as can be discovered.
28. Cactus capillaris.
Mamillaria lanifera Salm, Cact. Hort. Dyck. 98 (1850), not
Haw.
Cactus laniferus Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Pl. 250 (1891).
Cylindrical and erect: tubercles crowded, conical, glaucous, with axillary bristles: radial spines capillary and very numerous, white and crisped, entirely covering the plant; central spines 4 to 6, rigid, straight and spreading, straw-colored, 8 to 12 mm. long: flowers equaling the tubercles, the yellow petals striped with red: fruit unknown. Type unknown.
Referred to Mexico in general, but definitely known only from
Coahuila.
Specimens examined: Coahuila. (Palmer of 1880).
There is a confusion of synonymy between this species and C. rhodanthus, both having been named Mamillaria lanifera. The earlier M. lanifera of Haworth, however, is clearly M. rhodantha of Link & Otto; and although Prince Salm-Dyck revived the name for the present species, the law of homonyms will not permit it to stand. The name proposed refers to the abundant display of capillary radial spines, which is probably the most notable feature.