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Parodia penicillata
has glowing flame-red
flowers which contrast well against the green body and tufty
paintbrush-like golden yellow or white spines.
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Pennicillum is the Latin for "Little brush"
referring
to the characteristic new spine clusters at the plant apex. |
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Cultivation:
Water
these plants regularly, and fertilize with a low nitrogen fertilizer
every 6 to 8 weeks, from mid-spring to late summer. This plant should
remain rather dry at other times (especially in winter) except for a
quick, periodic misting on warmer days in late winter. If it is kept
absolutely dry for a long period,
it tends to lose its roots in winter. It
can
tolerate light frost (-1C°)
If the local climate is warm enough to grow this plant outside, be sure
that soil is well drained and sun if full, but with protection from
strong midday rays.
Propagation: By Seeds that are very fine
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name: Parodia penicillata Fechser & van der Steeg 1960 (N)Frequently this specie is found
with the incorrect spelling Parodia pennicillata
Origin: Native to the highlands of
northern Argentina
Synonyms: Notocactus penicillatus |
Description: P. penicillata is a
usually a solitary, small- growing, cactus
Stem: Pale green or bright green, spherical, later cylindrical,
growing up to 40-5m cm tall and 9 cm wide.
Spines: Glassy, bristly straw-coloured (but also pale
yellow, or
pale brown) becoming very dense on specimen. The radials are very thin,
clear, and silky, while the centrals are longer, stiffer and more
coloured. There is also a form (the so-called P. penicillata var.
nivosa) with dense snow-white spines.
Flowers: Funnel-shaped,
orange-yellow or brilliant red in an apical circle. Dried flowers remain
for a long time on the plant body after blooming.
Blooming time: Summer.
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Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and
cultivars of Parodia nivosa .
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