Notocactus lenginghausii (K.Sch) Berger
This cactus is a very well known representative of the genus Notocactus. This species grows in Southern Brazil. It prefers a compost on the slightly acid side of neutral and plenty of water and food in the growing season. It eventually gets quite large forming clusters of heads. It flowers in summer, and contrary to some information does not need to be very large. The flowers remain open for several days and nights, unlike many cacti whose flowers only open during the day. The particular plant shown was in the collection of Suzanne and Tony Mace and was the plant from which the drawing on the front of the book on Notocacti, written by Tony Mace in 1975, was modeled. This plant was unfortunately lost (rotted) one winter due to being over-watered. A replacement of the same size (approximately 1 foot tall) has since been grown.
