Origin and Habitat: Mammillaria pectiniferaSN|5448]]SN|1537]] is narrowly distributed , with 19 subpopulations well fragmented in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, in the state of Puebla, Mexico(extent of occurrence is 4,000 km2). The plants in northwest of Oaxaca correspond to Mammillaria solisioidesSN|20872]]SN|13948]], which Hunt et al. (2006) consider to be a subspecies of Mammiillaria pectinifera (subsp. solisioides (Backeb.) D.R.Hunt).
Altitude: 1600-2300 metres above sea level.
Habitat and Ecology: Mammillaria pectiniferaSN|1537]]SN|1537]] grows on relatively deep alkaline calcareous soils, with high water retention capacity on stony hills. The plants are localized on small isolated patches in xerophyllous scrub and grasslands together with Mammillaria conspicuaSN|13948]]SN|20872]], Mammillaria napinaSN|1537]]SN|5448]] and Ferocactus latispinusSN|4259]]SN|4259]]. This species has abiotic nurses (i.e. rocks) that increase the survival of seedlings. The major threats are mining rock for construction, dumping of rubbish, collecting plants for horticulture and grazing of cattle and goats

• Mammillaria pectinifera F.A.C.Weber in Bois
• Lactomamillaria aselliformoides Frič
• Neomammillaria pectinata (Stein) Fosberg
• Pelecyphora aselliformis var. pectinata hort.
• Pelecyphora pectinata Stein
• Solisia pectinata (Stein) Britton & Rose

• Mammillaria pectinifera F.A.C.Weber in Bois
• Lactomamillaria aselliformoides Frič
• Neomammillaria pectinata (Stein) Fosberg
• Pelecyphora aselliformis var. pectinata hort.
• Pelecyphora pectinata Stein
• Solisia pectinata (Stein) Britton & Rose
• Mammillaria pectinifera f. albiflora hort.
• Mammillaria pectinifera f. cristata hort.
• Neomammillaria pectinata f. cristata hort.
• Pelecyphora pectinata f. cristata hort.
• Solisia pectinata f. cristata hort.
• Mammillaria pectinifera f. monstruosa hort.
• Solisia pectinata f. monstruosa hort.

Description: Mammillaria pectiniferaSN|1537]]SN|1537]], previously known as Solisia pectinataSN|1541]]SN|1541]], is a small cactus that in habitat appears above the ground as a squat stem completely covered by flattened spines, and usually solitary, but in cultivation it will eventually produce clustering off-shoots with age.
Stem: 1-5 cm in diameter; with latex, spherical, flattened, centrally depressed, In cultivation the plant's stem may be cylindrical.
areoles: Long narrow.
Spines: 20-40, pectinate (comb-like), flattened against the body, fine, numerous, white, 1.5 - 2 mm long. Lacking central spines.
Flowers: Medium-sized in a ring around the sides of the globe, white to pink with darker mid-strip, 20-30 mm long and also in diameter. Stigmas are green.
Booming season: The species flowers from December to March. Reproduction in habitat starts at an age of eight years.
Fruits: Small, red a maturity, barely emerging above the spines.
Seeds: Black. Seeds are retained among the plant tubercules, and are released gradually.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Valverde, T. & Zavala-Hurtado, A. 2013. Mammillaria pectinifera. In: IUCN 2013. "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species." Version 2013.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 16 February 2014.
2) David Hunt, Nigel Taylor “The New Cactus Lexicon” DH Books, 2006
3) John Pilbeam (1999) “Mammillaria The Cactus File Handbook” Nuffield Press.
4) Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” vol. 4 The Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1923
5) Edward F. Anderson “The Cactus Family” Timber Press, 2001
6) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass”Cambridge University Press, 11/ago/2011

Cultivation and Propagation: Slow growing, this plant is very rot prone and temperamental when cultivated on its own roots, but it is easy to grow if grafted.
Potting subtratum: Mammillaria pectiniferaSN|1537]]SN|1537]] has a fairly large tap root, and should be kept in a deep pot with a very draining mineral substrate.
Moisture: Water regularly during the active growing season (spring and summer), this will encourage steady growth. But be careful with watering, which all thick rooted species require (rot sensitive). Keep dry during the winter rest.
Feeding: Fertilize every 2 weeks with diluted high potassium fertilizer when the plant is in bud.
Exposition: Light shade or full sun exposures.
Traditional uses: Though sometimes called peyote, there is little evidence for the ceremonial use or psychoactive properties of the cactus.
Propagation: Direct sow after last frost. (seldom produces offsets)