Plant · GBIF taxon 8565818
Parodia leninghausii
Parodia leninghausiiAlso known as Lemon Ball Cactus, Golden Ball Cactus, Yellow Tower Cactus
Golden ball cacti begin life as tidy spherical globes before elongating into dramatic, clustering towers topped with a slanted crown. Dense coats of flexible, brassy-yellow spines shield the ribbed green stems from intense subtropical sun and drying winds without delivering severe punctures. Mature specimens produce large, silky lemon-yellow blossoms right at the apex during midsummer, opening only in full daylight.
CactusSucculentFlowering
Licensed referenceEric in SF / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
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—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic (autotrophic)
Predators
- Grazing livestock
- Rodents
ThreatsHabitat conversion for agriculture, exotic tree plantations, and illegal harvesting
HabitatsRocky slopes, hilly grasslands, and cliff crevices
Life span30–50 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderCaryophyllales
- FamilyCactaceae
- GenusParodia
- SpeciesParodia leninghausii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance; bristles can prick if squeezed.
- What to notice
- Recognized by its clustering, upright cylindrical stems densely veiled in soft golden-yellow spines and topped with a tilted crown.
- Support conservation
- Never remove specimens from native habitats, and ensure any cultivated plants originate from certified domestic propagation.
Responsible observation
- Lighting: Provide abundant direct sunlight to keep spine growth dense, golden, and vibrant.
- Watering Schedule: Drench thoroughly during warm summer months, then allow the soil to dry out completely.
- Repotting Etiquette: Wrap the stem in thick folded paper or use foam pads to avoid damaging the bristly spines.
Close Relative (c) James Petts, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Noelia, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Noelia · cc-by
Close Relative (c) John Barkla, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John Barkla · cc-by
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