Mamillaria goodrichii Scheer in Salm Cact. Hort. Dyck. 91
(1850).
Globose or ovate, 5 to 7.5 cm. high, subsimple: tubercles ovate,
short (3 to 5 mm.), somewhat corky and persistent, with dense
wool in the young axils containing 5 to 8 stiff bristles: radial
spines 11 to 15 (the uppermost one sometimes wanting), white and
rigid, 5 to 7 mm. long, entangled with adjoining clusters;
central spines 3 or 4 (often solitary in young plants),
brownish-black,the upper ones divergent and straight (rarely
showing a tendency to hook), the lower longer (9 to 10 mm.),
stouter and hooked (usually upwards): flowers 12 to 18 mm, long,
the petals yellowish-white with red midribs: fruit clavate and
scarlet. (Ill. Cact. Mex. Bound. t. 8. figs. 9-14) Type: Scheer
says that the plant was brought from the Island of "Corros"
(Cedros?) by Dr. Goodrich, and "unfortunately perished in the
gardens," which generally means that there is not a fragment of
the type in existence.
In dry ravines, from San Diego County, California, southward
throughout Lower California and the neighboring islands
(including Guadalupe Island). "Llavina."
Specimens examined: California (Parry of 1850, 1875; Agassiz of
1872; Parish 450 of 1882 at Vallecito): Lower California (Gabb 18
of 1867; Brandegee of 1889 on Magdalena Island, and 240 of 1890
from San Jose del Cabo): also specimens cultivated in Gard.
Salm-Dyck.
By a misprint in Cact. Mex. Bound, the specific name appeared as
"Goodridgii," and this error appears in almost every subsequent
mention of the species, even in Watson's Bibliographical Index,
although in Syn. Cact. and other references by Dr. Engelmann the
correct form appears.