snowball cactus

Single or clumps of small round to oblong stems 3–5 in. across. Strong vertical ridges carry warts with clusters of 8–12 stout, upright, white spines with reddish brown to nearly black tips and smaller yellow or white spreading spines. Flowers rose to bright magenta, 1–1 1/2 in., crowded at top center, surrounded by woolly hairs. Grows in dry mountain valleys, rocky ridges. Var. robustior (pictured) is a clustered plant from Pacific Northwest with vivid flowers, rose fragrance.