About Gymnocalycium spegazzinii Britton & Rose
Gymnocalycium spegazzinii Britton & Rose grows as individual plants with flattened, spherical gray-green to brown shoots. This cactus reaches 6 to 12 centimeters in height, with diameters between 10 and 14 centimeters. It has 10 to 15 low, broad ribs, rarely up to 30, that are slightly notched between the areoles. It can have up to 2 central spines, which may also be completely absent. It has 3 to 7 stiff marginal spines that are brown or light ocher, 2 to 5.5 centimeters long; these spines first bend outwards, then curve inwards toward the shoot surface. The species produces funnel-shaped flowers that are white or light pink, with a slightly purple-pink throat. Flowers can grow up to 7 centimeters long and reach 5 centimeters in diameter. Fruits of Gymnocalycium spegazzinii are club-shaped to elongated. This species is widespread in northern Argentina and Bolivia, growing at altitudes between 1500 and 3000 meters.
