Parodia warisii

Parodia warisii is a medium-sized clumping cactus from Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil where it grows on cliff faces and rock ledges amongst low undergrowth at around 800-1000 metres altitude. Over time the main stems become tall and cylindical to about 60cm. It is very similar in shape and habit to Parodia magnifica but is distinctive from it and usually distinguishable. Its spines are more golden than Parodia magnifica and it has a greener body where the stems of Parodia magnifica are glaucous-green. The aureolae on the ribs of Parodia warisii are also slightly less close together than Parodia magnifica and thus form less of a continuous margin.

Parodia warisii is an easy and rewarding cactus with few demands other than a sunny warm frost-free aspect with watering and feeding during the growing season and no watering at all from October through to early March. It makes an ideal houseplant or is at home in a cool glasshouse where its moderate cold-tolerance will enable it to readily overwinter in most locations or perhaps with a covering of fleece in colder places or during extreme subzero weather conditions.

Like most Parodias, Parodia warisii makes a perfect cactus gift or a present for a young and budding enthusiast to add to their collection.