Parodia microsperma var. mutabilis (syn: Parodia mutabilis) is just one variant of the extremely variable Parodia microsperma. The main characteristics of this cactus are its strong, yellow spination and its yellow flowers.
Its natural habitat is the Salta region in northern Argentina, where it can be found growing at an altitude of 1,600–2,500 metres above sea level. It is locally abundant and grows on rocky soils together with Echinopsis silvestrii. It is very similar to Parodia aureispina and Parodia aurihamata, and the three plants are not readily distinguishable, were it not for their geographical provenance.
The plant body can be light green or bluish-green, up to 6–7cm in diameter and 5–20cm tall (sometimes more). It produces several flowers simultaneously in early summer, with the flowers remaining open for about three days.
I grow this cactus in a mix of John Innes No2 and grit. I water from April to October and keep it completely dry during the winter months. It grows in my small greenhouse with a minimum temperature of 8°C (46.4°F). I have had this plant for two years and it has flowered every year so far.
Photos by Lee Streeton of Northampton and Milton Keynes.
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