Thelocephala malleolata

Rare dwarf cactus of globose shape, slightly depressed at the apex, accustomed in nature to live partially covered by the soil to protect itself from atmospheric agents and from temperature excursions. It tends with the growth to maintain very reduced dimensions, abundantly turning on to give life to pleasant cushions with multiple heads. Of a beautiful very dark green, which with sun exposure can be dyed purple, it is equipped with conical tubercles strongly protruding but partially hidden by the abundant white lint of the areolas. Just among the wool protrude barely short robust and greyish spines, arranged like the legs of a spider and aimed at flattening along the stem. At the apex of the cactus blossoms a true spectacle of nature: despite the small size of the stem, its flower, initially tubular and then open like a trumpet, is really large with its cream-colored lanceolate petals that fade towards a showy red throat!