Parodia magnifica

{{Short description|Species of cactus}}

{{Speciesbox

|image = Eriocactus magnificus JPG.jpg

|image_caption =

|status = EN

|status_system = IUCN3.1

|status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=Larocca, J. |author2=Machado, M. |date=2013 |title=Parodia magnifica |volume=2013 |page=e.T152741A672751 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T152741A672751.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}

|genus = Parodia

|species = magnifica

|authority = (F.Ritter) F.H.Brandt

}}

Parodia magnifica is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae, native to southern Brazil. One of several species called ball cactus, it is also called balloon cactus. It grows to {{convert|7|-|15|cm|0|abbr=on}} tall by {{convert|45|cm|0|abbr=on}} broad, with heavily ribbed, spherical to columnar, spiny and hairy stems, bearing pale yellow flowers in summer.{{cite book|title=RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants|year=2008|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|location=United Kingdom|isbn=978-1405332965|pages=1136}} Its natural habitat is cool, dry temperate grassland at elevations of up to {{convert|800 |m|ft|abbr=on}}.{{cite web

| url = http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/20453/Parodia_magnifica | title = Parodia magnifica

| publisher = The Encyclopedia of Cacti | access-date = 18 April 2018}} Populations are sparse and fragmented, and it has been designated as “Endangered” by the IUCN Red List.

In cultivation it must be kept above {{convert|10|C|F|abbr=on}}, so in temperate regions is grown under glass. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - Parodia magnifica|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/236185/Parodia-magnifica/Details | access-date = 16 January 2021}}{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017 | page = 72

| publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | access-date = 17 April 2018}}