Parodia maassii is present in a wide geographical area, mainly high mountains, ranging from Bolivia to Argentina. It is a globose, bright green cactus, with the apex covered with a white down. It has two kinds of spines: some light, thin radial spines, which are much less evident, than the rigid central ones, which are very long and hooked, with strong colors, ranging from yellow to brown or even black. The inflorescences arise at the apex, they are funnel-shaped and vary in color from orange to a carmine red, but occasionally we can find spectacular shades of orange and red on its petals.