Gymnocalycium erinaceum

Gymnocalycium erinaceum is a species of Gymnocalycium from Argentina.

Description

Gymnocalycium erinaceum is a cactus species with solitary, gray-green to brownish-green, flattened spherical stems up to 5 cm tall and 5.5 cm wide. It has 12 ribs and spines that start dark brown and turn grayish-white with darker tips and bases. The plant features 1–2 central spines up to 1 cm long and 7–9 radial spines, 6–8 mm long, arranged in pairs, with one pointing downward. The white, funnel-shaped flowers grow up to 5.5 cm long and 4.8 cm wide. Its bluish, spindle-shaped fruits are 1.6 cm long and 1.3 cm wide.

This species is native to Argentina, occurring in Córdoba and Santiago provinces at elevations of 500–1500 meters.

First described by Jacques G. Lambert in 1985, its name "erinaceum" derives from the Latin erinaceus, referencing its spiny appearance.