Xerophyte

Habit

Solitary or clumping.

Central Spines

1-4 (or more), strong, measuring between 3 and 7 cm. They are yellow on the upper part of the plant and go upwards. In older parts they become clear yellow, and go downwards.

Description

Parodia maassiiSN|5784]]SN|5784]] is a small globular South American cactus species with long hooked spines and yellow to red flowers. The extensive distribution range of this species has led to the formation of many local forms or varieties which in the years have been formally named. Most of these names are not accepted by many botanists that treat them as synonyms, but they still have a value for a collector because they identify plants with particular characters.

Flowers

Funnel-shaped, large coppery-yellow or orange, but they can also be carmine or red with an orange centre. 3 (or more) cm across.

Blooming Season

Spring and summer, they usually appear one by one in succession.

Spines

Curved, dense, and variably coloured (yellowish or amber, but also white, pale to dark brown, brick red or nearly black).

Ribs

13- 21, chinned and arranged in spiral.

Stem

The plant presents an extended spherical stem, mid-green to intense green in colour, 15 cm. wide, with the apical part densely covered with white wool.

Radial Spines

8-10 (or more). Usually yellowish or amber at first and white later, 5-10 mm. long, opened on the outside and a little curved inwardly.

Areoles

Big and woolly at first, but they become naked with age.