Parodia magnifica - Notocactus magnificus

Parodia magnifica, formerly known as Notocactus magnificus (or Eriocactus magnificus), is a small cactus with a particularly ornamental shape. It is a slow-growing, globular plant with many prominent midribs and an epidermis ranging from blue-green to grey-green depending on the specimen. The midribs bear very attractive golden thorns that are not prickly. It flowers after a few years, producing pretty pale yellow flowers at the top of the globe. Older specimens stretch to become slightly cylindrical and can produce offshoots from the base, adding to the ornamental interest of this cactus. It is frost-sensitive and only thrives outdoors in the mildest climates. Its small size allows it to be grown in a pot to be brought indoors in winter in other regions, or even permanently placed in a conservatory, as it tolerates heat very well.

Parodia belongs to the Cactaceae family, whose 2,500 species delight collectors of Cereus, Mammillaria and other Mother-in-law's cushions (Echinocactus). The Parodia genus, which over the course of taxonomic revisions has been enriched by related genera (Malacocarpus, Eriocactus, Microspermia, etc.), now comprises around 50 species native to South America. P. magnifica is one of the largest species in the genus despite its small size. It grows naturally in southern Brazil, in meadows or up to 800 m altitude on rocky hills with well-drained soil, in a dry climate punctuated by seasonal rains. Older plants tend to produce offshoots and eventually form small colonies in their natural habitat.
Parodia magnifica fully deserves its species name, for everything about this cactus is beautiful. It is slow-growing, first taking a globular form, then stretching slightly into a cylinder. It can reach 15 to 20 cm in diameter, then lengthen to 30 or 40 cm. Older plants producing offshoots from the base, the offshoots develop outwards as there is no more room in the centre and eventually form a mass of vegetation spreading through almost 180°. Some offshoots may even begin to grow on the ground before the tip straightens vertically. The plant is structured by a dozen well-marked midribs that give it its geometric beauty. They are bristling with soft, beautiful golden colour, fairly short (about 1 cm) prickles. Their abundance gives them a fine presence in young specimens only a few centimetres in diameter, giving them the appearance of tropical sea urchins. Then, as the plant grows, they become proportionally more well-spaced, showing the cactus's epidermis. Depending on the specimen, this ranges from grey-green to blue-green, or even a true blue (though rare), absolutely irresistible. This epidermis can prove sensitive to overly aggressive sun, so the location must be chosen carefully when planting in the ground. After a few years of cultivation, this Parodia produces pretty pale yellow flowers in summer, 4 to 5 cm in diameter, which develop at the tip of the swollen stems that are the globes (the thorns being transformed leaves, adaptation strategies to drought in cacti).

Parodia magnifica is one of those botanical beauties whose form fascinates succulent and cactus enthusiasts. In very mild climates, plant it alongside other distinctive plants such as the superb Agave victoriae reginae with its equally appealing geometry, or Cleistocactus strausii, a woolly torch cactus with its characteristic silhouette. The sea-urchin cactus (Echinopsis subdenudata), with its strange appearance, will also be a perfect rock garden companion. In other regions, bring your Parodia indoors protected from frost in winter, in a cool, bright room, then in spring, after the last frosts, take it out again, gradually acclimatising it to the sun to avoid any risk of sunburn.