Gymnocalycium mihanovichii

Native to Paraguay and northeastern Argentina, this dwarf perennial cactus grows in rocky habitats. Its rounded, gray-green to reddish stem usually reaches about two to three inches tall, with narrow ribs and curved spines. Pale green to brownish-yellow, funnel-shaped flowers develop near the crown, followed by small fleshy fruits that ripen red. Colorful cultivated forms are popular as moon cacti. Forms lacking chlorophyll must be grafted onto a green cactus that supplies their nourishment. It can be propagated from seeds or by grafting. Photographed in Bogotá, Colombia.