Gymnocalycium spegazzinii is a species of Gymnocalycium from Argentina and Bolivia[1] named after the botanist C. L. Spegazzini.
Gymnocalycium spegazzinii grows individually with gray-green to brown, flattened, spherical shoots and reaches heights of 6 to 12 centimeters with diameters of 10 to 14 centimeters. The ten to 15 (rarely up to 30) low, broad ribs are slightly notched between the areoles. There are up to two central spines, which may also be missing. The three to seven stiff marginal thorns, first bent outwards and then inwards towards the shoot surface, are brown or light ocher and 2 to 5.5 centimeters long.
The funnel-shaped, white or light pink flowers have a slightly purple-pink throat. They reach a length of up to 7 centimeters and a diameter of 5 centimeters. The fruits are club-shaped to elongated.[2]
Accepted subspecies:
| Image | Scientific name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Gymnocalycium spegazzinii subsp. cardenasianum | Bolivia | |
| Gymnocalycium spegazzinii subsp. spegazzinii | Argentina | |
Gymnocalycium spegazzinii is widespread in northern Argentina and Bolivia at altitudes of 1500 to 3000 meters.
The first description was made in 1922 by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose.[3]