Origin and Habitat: Mammillaria tolimensisSN|11904]]SN|11904]] is endemic to Santa María del Mexicano, between Bernal and San Pablo Toliman, in the Sierra Zamorano, Querétaro, Mexico.
Altitude range: Around 1830 metres above sea level.

• Mammillaria tolimensis R.T.Craig
• Neomammillaria tolimensis (R.T.Craig) Y.Itô

• Mammillaria compressa DC.
• Cactus compressus (DC.) Kuntze
• Mammillaria angularis var. compressa (DC.) K.Schum.
• Mammillaria angularis f. compressa (DC.) Schelle
• Neomammillaria compressa (DC.) Britton & Rose
• Mammillaria compressa f. bernalensis (Repp.)
• Mammillaria bernalensis Repp.
• Mammillaria compressa var. fulvispina (K.Schum.) Borg
• Mammillaria angularis var. fulvispina K.Schum.
• Mammillaria angularis f. fulvispina (K.Schum.) Schelle
• Mammillaria compressa var. longiseta (Muehlenpf.) Borg
• Cactus longisetus (Muehlenpf.) Kuntze
• Mammillaria angularis var. longiseta (Muehlenpf.) Salm-Dyck ex K.Schum.
• Mammillaria angularis f. longiseta
• Mammillaria cirrhifera var. longiseta (Muehlenpf.) Salm-Dyck
• Mammillaria longiseta Muehlenpf.
• Mammillaria compressa var. rubrispina Borg
• Mammillaria compressa var. triacantha (DC.) Borg
• Mammillaria triacantha DC.
• Mammillaria conopea Scheidw.
• Mammillaria esseriana Boed.
• Mammillaria tolimensis R.T.Craig
• Neomammillaria tolimensis (R.T.Craig) Y.Itô
• Mammillaria tolimensis var. brevispina R.T.Craig
• Neomammillaria tolimensis var. brevispina (R.T.Craig) Y.Itô
• Mammillaria tolimensis var. longispina R.T.Craig
• Mammillaria tolimensis var. subuncinata R.T.Craig

• Mammillaria compressa subs. centralifera (Repp.) D.R.Hunt
• Mammillaria centralifera Repp.

• Mammillaria compressa cv. Yokan

Description: Mammillaria tolimensisSN|11897]]SN|11904]] is a local variant of the very variable Mammillaria compressaSN|11904]]SN|11897]], with which it grows between Bernal and Toliman. It is a very spiny cactus specie with showy red blooms in spring and summer. It is still unclear whether, the variable M. compressa complex is one or several species. There is so much variation that most authors choose to lump them together until further studies are done
Stem: Flattened-globular to globular, up to 10 cm across, grey to yellowish green and forming suckers, divided into numerous rounded tubercles.
Areoles: With white wool.
Spines: Long and slender, unequal, spreading, creamy-white to 5-6 cm long
Flowers: Red.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Alfred Byrd Graf “Exotica, series 4 international: pictorial cyclopedia of exotic plants from tropical and near-tropic regions” Roehrs Co. Publishers, 1982

Cultivation and Propagation: Mammillaria tolimensisSN|11904]]SN|11904]] is an easy to grow species, just as a classic cactus, don't requires any special treatment, that seems to enjoy, in cultivation, good root space, and well drained compost, though it is not a quick grower. It is a great plant for the cactus grower, that readily builds up into a cluster of stems highlighted by dense spines, further decorated by rings of pink blooms.
Growth rate: It is a rapid growing species that will form large clumps rather rapidly when compared to other Mammillaria species. Most plants will offset readily, and clumps can be produced in a few years. It will fill a large pot or pan in time however, so space is needed if it is to show of its best.
Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil with little organic matter (peat, humus).
Repotting: Repotting every 2-3 years. Needs lots and lots of space to grow, use large shallow container or bowl filled with very porous compost. Use pot with good drainage.
Watering: Water regularly in summer, but do not overwater (very wet-sensitively). Its roots are easily lost in pots that stay damp for any length of time. Keep dry with ample airflow in winter. In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! Care must be taken with watering as they tends to become swollen and untidy in growth habit if given too much water and shade.
Fertilization: During the growing season enrich the soil using a fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorous, but poor in nitrogen, because this chemical element doesn’t help the development of succulent plants, making them too soft and full of water.
Hardiness: It is quite frost resistant if kept dry, hardy as low as -5° C (some reports give it hardy to -12°C). However some warmth throughout the year will increase the grower's success (minimum 5° to 8°C during rest season).
Exposition: Outside bright sun, filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Subject to sunburn if exposed to direct sun for too long. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production.
Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small. It look fine in a cold greenhouse and frame.
Traditional uses: The white, hooked spines of this spherical cactus were used as fish hooks in its native Mexico.
Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Sensitive to red spider mite. Overhead watering is helpful in controlling mites.
- Mealy bugs: Occasionally mealy bugs they develop aerial into the new growth among the wool with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales: Scales are rarely a problem.
- Rot: Rot it is only a minor problem with cacti if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.
Propagation: By division, or direct sow after last frost. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring, remove the glass cover gradually as the plants develops and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants! The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted, after which they can be planted separately in small pots. Cuttings: wait until the offsets that appear at the base of old clustered specimens are 1/3 the size of the parent and then detach and plant. Cuttings will take root in a minimum temperature of 20° C (but better in hot weather). Cuttings of healthy shoots can be taken in the spring and summer. Cut the stem with a sharp, sterile knife, leave the cutting in a warm, dry place for a week or weeks (depending on how thick the cutting is) until a callus forms over the wound. Once the callus forms, the cutting may be inserted in a container filled with firmed cactus potting mix topped with a surface layer of coarse grit. They should be placed in the coarse grit only; this prevents the cut end from becoming too wet and allows the roots to penetrate the rich compost underneath. The cuttings should root in 2 to 6 weeks.