Xerophyte

Habit

It is a solitary cactus that may occasionally form few branched clumps.

Central Spines

4-8,20-30 mm long.Radial spines. 10-15,10-30 mm.

Description

Eriosyce curvispinaSN|2434]]SN|2434]] is one of the most wide-spread of the Eriosyce species. It is also highly variable in appearance and has been received numerous, often unnecessary, names. In fact, there are a number of different looking varieties, but only some authorities recognize the different populations as segregate varieties. Three subspecies are recognized, the nominate form, subsp. armata (F.Ritter) Katt., and subsp. marksiana (F.Ritter) Ferryman.

Roots

Fibrous from a short tap root.

Note

The variety curvispina (sensu stricto) is always solitary, has large flowers up to 5,5 cm in diameter, strongly curved spines 20 or more mm long and is the more common and widespread of the varieties.

Flowers

Flowers are about 3-5,5 cm long and broad, broadly funnel-form, yellowish-green, dull-yellow or yellow with reddish-brown mid-veins or reddish.

Spines

Long, stiff, greyish-brown spines with a darker tip, thin to thick, awl shaped. Young spines are almost black, while older ones turn greyish.

Ribs

14-24, noticeably notched with chin-like protrusions.

Stem

Subglobose or globose, sometime elongate (especially in cultivation), 8-20 cm across, greyish green, often with naked or with few spines at the top.

Fruits

Somewhat elongate, reddish, fleshy, about 1 cm long splitting open by at the base.