Notocactus magnificus

Description

Parodia magnifica is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family Cactaceae, native to southern Brazil. One of several species called ball cactus, it grows to 7–15 cm (3–6 in) tall by 45 cm (18 in) broad, with heavily ribbed, spherical to columnar, spiny and hairy stems, bearing pale yellow flowers in summer. Its natural habitat is cool, dry temperate grassland at elevations of up to 800 m (2,600 ft). Populations are sparse and fragmented, and it has been designated as “Endangered” by the IUCN Red List. In cultivation it must be kept above 10 °C (50 °F), so in temperate regions is grown under glass. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.