Really particular cactaceae, still an object of controversy as some botanists would like to consider it as a subspecies of Parodia maassii, whilst others consider it so peculiar to occupy a proper place among the species. Initially it has a globose shape that tends to become cylindrical over time. The stem has a beautiful emerald green tone with rather deep ribs. In the young plants there are woolly and whitish areoles, which in the mature exemplar become invisible. From this areoles come out unique thorns: the radial ones are whitish, thin and rather long; the central ones, reach even 7 cm, are brownish and slightly curved downwards. The blooming occurs in spring and summer, with large funnel-shaped flowers at the apex of the stem, bringing a touch of cheerfulness with their bright red hues.