Flower to 6 inches (15 cm) across. Petals lance-linear, involute and broadly ruffled, rich purplish-pink with dark pinkish-red midrib. Throat-circle white. Filaments purplish-pink. Stigma exserted, white. Stems freely pupping, globular, to 4 inches (9.5 cm) in diameter; central spines to 1⅛ inches (30 mm) long. Named for Maria Piazza, former proprietor of Cactus by Mueller, who chose it as her favorite among many of the other hybrids in bloom. Originally called ‘Maria’, a name already used by another hybridizer. ISI 97-19; HBG 80605, Schick 1373-52.
