Xerophyte

Habit

It is a small solitary, perennial cactus with fine, stiff, white spines, each 1-2 cm long. It has a white, woolly crown from which bright red flowers appear in summer.

Central Spines

4 dark-brown to almost black, uo to 25 mm long, all straight acicular.

Seeds

Small to 0.8 x 0.5 mm smooth, brown, glossy.

Description

Parodia faustianaSN|28340]]SN|28344]] is a distinctive cactus species now considered only a local or morphological form of the powder puff cactus (Parodia nivosaSN|28344]]SN|28340]]). It has four longer brown-black central spines up to 2.5 cm long, and flower orange with yellow throat (never red)

Flowers

Borne 1-7 together atop the white, woolly crown in summer, approx 3 cm long, 2.5-3(-5) cm wide, r orange with yellow throat (never red). Pericarpel and tube with wool and bristles throughout.

Ribs

Several, spiraling, forming distinct conical tubercles.

Stem

Spherical or eventually somewhat longer to 15 cm tall and 8 cm broad dull green, with dense white wool apically.

Radial Spines

About 20, snow-white, finer 15-18 mm long.

Fruits

Small.

Areoles

White woolly when young.