Gymnocalycium erinaceum is a species of Gymnocalycium from Argentina.
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 1âÂÂ2 central spines up to 1 cm long and 7âÂÂ9 radial spines, 6âÂÂ8 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 500âÂÂ1500 meters.
First described by Jacques G. Lambert in 1985, its name "erinaceum" derives from the Latin erinaceus (hedgehog), referencing its spiny appearance.