Xerophyte

Habit

Plants solitary, only rarely offsetting into small clusters in time.

Central Spines

1, pointing downward, upto 20 mm long.

Seeds

Helmet shaped, shiny black.

Description

Parodia oxycostataSN|20466]]SN|20466]], better known as Notocactus oxycostatusSN|20467]]SN|20467]], is a common attractive dwarf clumping cactus that flowers at an early age. This is one of the most variable species in the genus and has lots of unnecessary synonyms and comprises a multitude of different local forms. But where each form is linked to others by populations of plants with intermediate characteristics. This species is in cultivation with many cultivated and propagated forms.

Flowers

Borne several at a time apically, bell-fnnel shaped to sometimes urn shaped, yellow, to 1 cm long and 4,5 cm in diameter; pericarpels and floral tubes with scales, white wool, and reddish brown bristles in clusters. Stigma red.

Blooming Season

Flowering occurs in summer through early fall and will bloom several times during warm weather.

Spines

Reddish brown to bright yellow, becoming lighter with age, flattened, twisted.

Ribs

6-12, acute, with chinlike protrusions between the areoles.

Stem

Flattened globose to globose, grey-green, to 9 cm high and in diameter.

Radial Spines

Usually only 2, one pointing downward, 16-25 mm long, sometimes with as many as 8 additional small spines to 6 mm long.

Fruits

With yellowish grey wool and reddish brown bristles, 2,5-2,7 cm long.

Areoles

Round, white at first, later grey, then naked.