Clustering miniature cactus;  an old plant may have more than 100 heads, and be 10 cm of diameter. The stems are elongated and very thin,  1-2cm in diameter.

Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Scientific Name: Epithelantha micromeris  ssp. polycephala (Backeberg) C. Glass 1997  
in: Guía Identific. Cact. Amenazadas México, 1: Ep/mi ssp. polycephala (1998 publ.): 1997

Basionym: E. polycephala Backeberg 1954
in: Cactus, Paris, No. 39, 32; et No. 40, 62 (1954); cf. Backeb. Cactac. Handb. Kakteenk. 5. 2918 (1961), 1954

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

Synonyms:

• E. polycephala Backeberg 1954
  in: Cactus, Paris, No. 39, 32; et No. 40, 62 (1954); cf. Backeb. Cactac. Handb. Kakteenk. 5. 2918 (1961), 1954
• E. micromeris v. polycephala
• E. micromeris ssp. micromeris var.polycephala
• E. greggii v polycephala

Etymology: The subspecies name "polycephala" derives from  the Greek adjective “polys (πολυς)” meaning  “much, many, frequent; large; heavy” and the word “cephale (κεφαλη)” meaning “head; front; end, point; source, top; chief person”
(The subspecific name implies: “many-headed”)

Epithelantha polycephala
An old plant may have more than 100 heads, and be 10 cm in diameter.

Description:   Clustering miniature cactus;  an old plant may have more than 100 heads, and be 10 cm of diameter.
Stem:  Elongated and very thin,  1-2cm in diameter.
Spines: Very short, appressed, grey/whitish or pastel new spines on shoot apexes are reddish.

Notes: This is a very distinctive cactus, though quite variable regarding stem's sizes and branching propensity.

An old specimen
From   Mr. Landini's collection, Italy 

A plant from the collection
of Jean-louis Bayet, Belgium.

Cultivation: Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant in cultivation it is relatively easy. It needs a soil mix that's particularly well-draining (rot prone). Water sparingly.
Frost Tolerance: Depending on the clone, will take -12° C (Temperature Zone: USDA 8-11)
Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun

Propagation: Seeds, offsets.