About Parodia magnifica (F.Ritter) F.H.Brandt
Parodia magnifica (F.Ritter) F.H.Brandt is a species of flowering cactus in the Cactaceae family, native to southern Brazil. It is one of several species commonly known as ball cactus, and is also called balloon cactus.
This cactus grows between 7 and 15 cm (3 to 6 in) tall, and can reach up to 45 cm (18 in) wide. Its stems are heavily ribbed, spherical to columnar in shape, and covered in spines and hairs. It produces pale yellow flowers during the summer.
In the wild, its natural habitat is cool, dry temperate grassland, found at elevations up to 800 m (2,600 ft). Existing wild populations are sparse and fragmented, and this species has been classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
When grown in cultivation, Parodia magnifica must be kept at temperatures above 10 °C (50 °F). For this reason, it is typically grown under glass in temperate regions. This plant has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
