(1316-56). Flower to nearly 5 inches (12½ cm) across. Inner petals narrow, intermediate and outer petals broader, all delicate pinkish-purple and yellow with darker pinkish-purple midrib and deep lemon-yellow basal stripe, the midrib and basal stripe seeming to form single, continuous stripe. Filaments beautiful lemon-yellow. Stigma exerted, green. Stem semicolumnar, to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter; spines to about ¾ inch (18 mm) long.
One fine, summer day, I was walking through a small wooded valley not too many miles from where I lived, when I met a beautiful, yet mysterious young lady. We talked for some moments and when I asked her name, she said I should just call her Napaea. Then she asked about my livelihood and I told her I was retired but that I kept busy by hybridizing cacti. Since I was somewhat proud of the hybrids, I described some of the flowers to her. Listening to the descriptions of those gorgeous blossoms, Napaea became so excited that she transformed herself into one of the hybrids on the spot! I must admit, I was somewhat surprised, but very pleased, for Napaea had chosen to become a hybrid with a delicate but very beautifully colored flower. Of course I named the plant after her. It was the least I could do! HBG 87023. Rooted offsets $9.50.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 74 (2), March - April, 2002