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Notocactus is a fairly small genus that is directly related to the cactus family (Cactaceae). This genus includes approximately 25 species of various plants. There are sources that contain information that notocactus is only a subgenus of Parodia, a larger genus. Other sources claim that notocactus and Parodia are the same thing. And there are those that distinguish notocactus as a separate genus. In nature, such cacti can be found in the hills and foothills of Paraguay, southern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. They are distinguished by a single stem of a short cylindrical or spherical shape. In adult specimens, it can reach no more than 100 centimeters in height. In most cases, such cacti lack both branches and babies. The pronounced ribbed stems have a dark green color. At the top of the ribs there are many small tubercles, on which there are areoles with pubescence. Bunches of spines emerge from the areoles, which include from 1 to 5 brownish-red central and 40 short yellow radial ones. As a rule, the flowers are formed at the top of the stem or at its top. The flower itself is multi-petaled and has the shape of a bell or funnel. On the surface of the thick, short, fleshy peduncle there is a layer consisting of many spines and bristles. The color of the flowers can be orange, red or yellow, while the bases of the petals are of a contrasting or more saturated color. The stigmas are in most cases reddish. The flower, after blooming, withers only after 7 days.