Notocactus fuscus f. crestata

The crested shape of this cactus has the typical fan arrangement, which is never exactly identical from one specimen to another and, precisely for this reason, make it a plant extremely popular with collectors. In its normal form it is a small solitary cactus that does not exceed 10 cm in diameter, of a beautiful dark green, consisting of little marked ribs and slightly spirally arranged. It has very close and extremely woolly areoles, which create with their white a strong and pleasant contrast with the stem. From the areoles emerge short and straight radial spines, of a brown-yellowish color, and darker central spines more robust and longer. The central spines often tend to be absent in the crested forms, making the plant apperance even more delicate and elegant.