Description: Plants usually solitary. (But nowadays the var. combarbaensis is considered nothing else than a synonym of E. curvispina which is one of the most variable taxon in appearance. In fact, there are a number of variety so different looking, but not all the authorities recognize the different population as segregate varieties.)
Stem: Globular, up to 15 cm.
Spines: Long stiff greyish-brown spines whit darker tip, young spines are almost black while older one became greyish.
Flowers: Flowers are about 4 cm in diameter.

Scientific Name: Eriosyce curvispina (Bertero ex Colla) Kattermann,
Succ. Pl. Res. 1:117. 1994

• Pyrrhocactus curvispinus var. combarbalensis Ritter
• Cactus curvispinus  Bertero ex Colla 1834
• Echinocactus curvispinus  (Bertero ex Colla) Gay 1848
• Malacocarpus curvispinus  (Bertero ex Colla) Britton & Rose 1922
• Pyrrhocactus curvispinus  (Bertero ex Colla) A.Berger 1929
• Horridocactus curvispinus  (Bertero ex Colla) Backeb. 1940
• Neoporteria curvispina  (Bertero ex Colla) Donald & G.D.Rowley 1966

Cultivation:  It is a summer grower species. Easy to cultivate but somewhat rot prone if kept in a non ventilated place. Require a very fast draining drying soil, water regularly in summer, but do not overwater.
Needs a full sun exposure (or light shade)  Good heat tolerance. Hardy to at least -5°C ( but probably can tolerate - 10° C for brief periods)

Propagation: Usually propagated from Seeds. (seldom produces offsets)

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Eriosyce straussiana complex  (This taxon has lots of synonyms (like most Eriosyce) whit several controversial varieties and subspecies):