Body solitary, spherical to shortly cylindrical. Ribs 16-18 with dense covering of spines. Flowers pink or white. Grown for the spectacular white flowers and spines. [N. gerocephala H. Itô, N. multicolor F. Ritter]

Chile

 

The similar N. coimasensis F. Ritter appears to be intermediate between this species and N. subgibbosa.

Source: Thompson, A, ; Forbes, S.; Spencer, R. (1997). Cactaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.