Genus Mammillaria, my very favorite cactus clan in the world, are known for their beautiful "crowns" of flowers. They open during the day, then close at night. Not all Mammillarias bloom this way, but most do. Here is a recent example- first, open during the day, then closed at night:
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| Mammillaria elegans in full "crown" bloom, MRobb, 2016 |
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| Blooms close in the evening. |
What a beautiful sight! Most Mammillaria have bright pink flowers, as this one does, but others have light pink, red, or even yellow blossoms. Gorgeous! Interestingly, they can have a primary, "proto-bloom" of just a couple of flowers, which can give them a funny "face":
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| Mammillaria elegans "Funny Face", MRobb |
Then a month or so later, the full crown appears. I have no idea why this happens.
