Gymnocalycium erinaceum

Description

Gymnocalycium erinaceum is a species of plant in the genus Gymnocalycium of the cactus family (Cactaceae). The specific epithet erinacea is derived from the Latin word erinaceus for 'hedgehog' and refers to the prickly spines of the species. Gymnocalycium erinaceum grows individually with grey-green to brownish green, glaucoma, flattened spherical to spherical shoots that reach heights of up to 5 centimeters with diameters of 5.5 centimeters. There are twelve ribs. The initially dark brown thorns later become greyish white. Their top and base are darker. The one or two central spines are up to 1 centimeter long. The seven to nine radial spines have a length of 6 to 8 millimeters. A radial spine points downwards, the others are arranged in pairs and point sideways. The funnel-shaped white flowers are up to 5.5 centimeters long and have a diameter of 4.8 centimeters. The bluish fruits are spindle-shaped, up to 1.6 centimeters long and reach a diameter of 1.3 centimeters. Gymnocalycium erinaceum is found in the Argentine provinces of Córdoba and Santiago at altitudes of 500 to 1500 meters. The first description was in 1985 by Jacques G. Lambert. In the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the species is listed as " Least Concern (LC) ". H. listed as not endangered.