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.