Origin and Habitat: Eriosyce curvispinaSN|2434]]SN|2434]] is endemic to Chile, where it is found in Copiapó and Caldera, Atacama, Chile, south to the Rio Maule.
Altitude: 0 to 2400 metres above sea level.
Habitat: The species occurs in sclerophyllous forest on rocky areas. It is frequent but occurs mainly at low densities. (Densities of 10,000 individuals per km2 are estimated to occur on some slopes). The distribution of this cactus overlaps with areas of high human density. It is therefore affected by land use change due to agriculture, mining, urbanization, desertification processes and illegal collection.

• Eriosyce curvispina (Bertero ex Colla) Katt.
• Cactus curvispinus Bertero ex Colla
• Echinocactus curvispinus (Bertero ex Colla) Gay
• Hildmannia curvispina (Bertero ex Colla) Kreuz. & Buining
• Horridocactus curvispinus (Bertero ex Colla) Backeb.
• Malacocarpus curvispinus (Bertero ex Colla) Britton & Rose
• Neoporteria curvispina (Bertero ex Colla) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus curvispinus (Bertero ex Colla) A.Berger

• Eriosyce curvispina (Bertero ex Colla) Katt.
• Cactus curvispinus Bertero ex Colla
• Echinocactus curvispinus (Bertero ex Colla) Gay
• Hildmannia curvispina (Bertero ex Colla) Kreuz. & Buining
• Horridocactus curvispinus (Bertero ex Colla) Backeb.
• Malacocarpus curvispinus (Bertero ex Colla) Britton & Rose
• Neoporteria curvispina (Bertero ex Colla) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus curvispinus (Bertero ex Colla) A.Berger
• Echinocactus pachycentrus Lehm. ex Pfeiff.
• Echinocactus centeterius var. pachycentrus (Lehm.) Salm-Dyck
• Echinocactus centeterius f. pachycentrus (Lehm.) Schelle
• Eriosyce curvispina var. albicans (Hildm. in K.Schum.)
• Neoporteria curvispina f. albicans (Hildm.) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Neoporteria curvispina var. geissei f. albicans
• Eriosyce curvispina var. choapensis (F.Ritter) Katt.
• Horridocactus choapensis (F.Ritter) Backeb.
• Neoporteria choapensis (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus choapensis F.Ritter
• Neoporteria jussieui var. dimorpha (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm.
• Neoporteria curvispina f. subaequalis (Backeb.) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Horridocactus kesselringianus var. subaequalis Backeb.
• Pyrrhocactus aconcaguensis var. orientalis F.Ritter
• Horridocactus aconcaguensis var. orientalis (F.Ritter) Backeb.
• Neoporteria curvispina var. aconcaguensis f. orientalis
• Neoporteria curvispina f. orientalis (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus horridus var. orientalis (F.Ritter) F.Ritter
• Pyrrhocactus mammillarioides var. pachycentrus (Lehm.) Backeb.
• Pyrrhocactus andicola (F.Ritter) F.Ritter
• Horridocactus andicola F.Ritter
• Neoporteria curvispina var. andicola (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus andicola var. descendens (F.Ritter) F.Ritter
• Horridocactus andicola var. descendens F.Ritter
• Neoporteria curvispina var. andicola f. descendens
• Neoporteria curvispina f. descendens (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus andicola var. mollensis (F.Ritter) F.Ritter
• Horridocactus andicola var. mollensis F.Ritter
• Neoporteria curvispina var. andicola f. mollensis
• Neoporteria curvispina f. mollensis (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus coliguayensis F.Ritter
• Neoporteria horrida var. coliguayensis (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm.
• Pyrrhocactus curvispinus var. combarbalensis F.Ritter
• Pyrrhocactus curvispinus var. santiagoensis
• Pyrrhocactus froehlichianus (K.Schum.) Backeb.
• Echinocactus froehlichianus K.Schum.
• Gymnocalycium froehlichianum (K.Schum.) Osten
• Hildmannia froehlichiana (K.Schum.) Kreuz. & Buining
• Neoporteria tuberisulcata var. froehlichiana (K.Schum.) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus grandiflorus F.Ritter
• Horridocactus grandiflorus (F.Ritter) Backeb.
• Neoporteria curvispina var. grandiflora (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus horridus (J.Rémy ex Gay) Backeb.
• Echinocactus horridus J.Rémy ex Gay
• Hildmannia horrida (J.Rémy ex Gay) Kreuz. & Buining
• Horridocactus horridus (J.Rémy ex Gay) Backeb.
• Neoporteria horrida (J.Rémy ex Gay) D.R.Hunt
• Pyrrhocactus jussieui (Monv. ex Salm-Dyck) F.Ritter
• Chilenia jussieui (Monv. ex Salm-Dyck) Backeb.
• Echinocactus jussieui Monv. ex Salm-Dyck
• Hildmannia jussieui (Monv. ex Salm-Dyck) Kreuz. & Buining
• Neochilenia jussieui (Monv. ex Salm-Dyck) Backeb. ex Dölz
• Neoporteria jussieui (Monv. ex Salm-Dyck) Britton & Rose
• Nichelia jussieui (Monv. ex Salm-Dyck) Bullock
• Pyrrhocactus kesselringianus (Dölz) F.Ritter
• Horridocactus kesselringianus Dölz
• Neoporteria curvispina var. kesselringiana (Dölz) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Neoporteria kesselringiana (Dölz) Hutchison
• Pyrrhocactus mammillarioides (Hook.) Backeb.
• Echinocactus centeterius Lehm. ex Pfeiff.
• Echinocactus mammillarioides Hook.
• Malacocarpus mammillarioides (Hook.) Britton & Rose
• Neoporteria mammillarioides (Hook.) Backeb.
• Neoporteria subgibbosa var. mammillarioides (Hook.) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus pamaensis F.Ritter

• Eriosyce curvispina var. aconcaguensis (F.Ritter) Katt.
• Horridocactus aconcaguensis (F.Ritter) Backeb.
• Pyrrhocactus aconcaguensis F.Ritter
• Pyrrhocactus horridus var. aconcaguensis (F.Ritter) F.Ritter

• Eriosyce curvispina subs. armata (F.Ritter) Katt.
• Eriosyce curvispina var. armata (F.Ritter) Katt.
• Horridocactus armatus (F.Ritter) Backeb.
• Neoporteria armata (F.Ritter) Krainz
• Neoporteria horrida var. armata (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm.
• Neoporteria tuberisulcata var. armata (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus armatus F.Ritter

• Eriosyce curvispina var. limariensis (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm. & Helmut Walter
• Eriosyce limariensis (F.Ritter) Katt.
• Neoporteria horrida var. limariensis (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm.
• Neoporteria limariensis (F.Ritter) Ferryman
• Pyrrhocactus limariensis F.Ritter
• Pyrrhocactus nigricans (Linke) F.Ritter
• Chilenia nigricans (Linke) Backeb.
• Echinopsis nigricans Linke in K.Koch
• Hildmannia nigricans (A.Dietr. ex K.Schum.) Kreuz. & Buining
• Horridocactus nigricans (A.Dietr. ex K.Schum.) Backeb. & Dölz
• Neochilenia nigricans (Linke) Y.Itô
• Neoporteria nigricans (Linke) Britton & Rose
• Neoporteria tuberisulcata var. nigricans (Linke) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Nichelia nigricans (Linke) Bullock

• Eriosyce curvispina subs. marksiana (F.Ritter) Ferryman
• Eriosyce marksiana (F.Ritter) Katt.
• Horridocactus marksianus (F.Ritter) Backeb.
• Horridocactus marksianus var. tunensis (F.Ritter) Backeb.
• Neoporteria curvispina var. marksiana (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm.
• Neoporteria marksiana (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Neoporteria marksiana var. tunensis (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Neoporteria marksianus (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus marksianus F.Ritter
• Pyrrhocactus marksianus var. tunensis F.Ritter
• Eriosyce marksiana var. gracilis (F.Ritter) Katt.
• Eriosyce lissocarpus var. gracilis F.Ritter
• Horridocactus lissocarpus var. gracilis (F.Ritter) Backeb.
• Neoporteria curvispina f. gracilis (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus lissocarpus var. gracilis F.Ritter
• Eriosyce marksiana var. lissocarpa (F.Ritter) Katt.
• Eriosyce curvispina var. lissocarpa (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm. & Helmut Walter
• Horridocactus lissocarpus (F.Ritter) Backeb.
• Neoporteria curvispina f. lissocarpa (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus lissocarpus F.Ritter

• Eriosyce curvispina var. mutabilis (F.Ritter) Katt.
• Pyrrhocactus horridus var. mutabilis F.Ritter
• Pyrrhocactus horridus var. minor F.Ritter
• Pyrrhocactus odoriflorus F.Ritter
• Neochilenia odoriflora (F.Ritter) Backeb.
• Neoporteria horrida var. odoriflora (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm.
• Neoporteria odoriflora (F.Ritter) Backeb.

• Eriosyce curvispina var. robusta (F.Ritter) Katt.
• Eriosyce robusta hort.
• Horridocactus andicola var. robustus F.Ritter
• Horridocactus robustus (F.Ritter) Y.Itô
• Neochilenia robusta (F.Ritter) Backeb.
• Neoporteria curvispina var. andicola f. robusta
• Neoporteria curvispina f. robusta (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Neoporteria tuberisulcata var. robusta (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus andicola var. robustus (F.Ritter) F.Ritter
• Pyrrhocactus horridus var. robustus (F.Ritter) F.Ritter
• Pyrrhocactus robustus F.Ritter
• Eriosyce curvispina var. vegasana (F.Ritter)
• Neochilenia robusta var. vegasana (F.Ritter) Backeb.
• Neoporteria tuberisulcata var. vegasana (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus robustus var. vegasanus F.Ritter
• Eriosyce robusta var. cabildensis hort.

• Eriosyce curvispina subs. tuberisulcata (Jacobi) Katt.
• Echinocactus tuberisulcatus Jacobi
• Eriosyce curvispina var. tuberisulcata (Jacobi) Katt.
• Horridocactus tuberisulcatus (Jacobi) Y.Itô
• Malacocarpus tuberisulcatus (Jacobi) Britton & Rose
• Neoporteria tuberisulcata (Jacobi) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Pyrrhocactus tuberisulcatus A.Berger
• Eriosyce curvispina var. tuberisulcata f. minor (F.Ritter & Y.Itô)
• Horridocactus tuberisulatus var. minor F.Ritter & Y.Itô

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.
Habit: It is a solitary cactus that may occasionally form few branched clumps.
Roots: Fibrous though sometimes developing short napiform root.
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.
Ribs: 14-24, noticeably notched with chin-like protrusions.
Roots: Fibrous from a short tap root.
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.
Central spines: 4-8,20-30 mm long.
Radial spines. 10-15,10-30 mm.
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.
Fruits: Somewhat elongate, reddish, fleshy, about 1 cm long splitting open by at the base.
Remarks: 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.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
2) Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” vol. 4 The Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1923
3) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey "The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass" Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
4) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006
5) "Succulent Plant Research" Volume 1, David Hunt, Richmond 1994, page. 117.
6) Fred Kattermann “Eriosyce (Cactaceae): The Genus Revised and Amplified” David Hunt, 1994
7) John Borg “Cacti: a gardener's handbook for their identification and cultivation” Blandford P., 1970
8) "Memorie della Reale Accademia delle Scienze di Torino." Volume 37, Turin 1833, page. 76, Tab. 16.
9) Faundez, L., Guerrero, P., Saldivia, P. & Walter, H.E. 2013. Eriosyce curvispina. In: IUCN 2013. "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species." Version 2013.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 08 January 2014.

Cultivation and Propagation: It is an extremely xerophytic, summer-growing, species, adapted to very dry soils. Despite its provenance it is not particularly difficult to cultivate, but quite susceptible to over-waterings and rot prone if kept in a non-ventilated place.
Growth rate: Slow-growing.
Soil: It requires a very fast draining drying open mineral, sandy-gritty cactus compost. Provide a very good drainage.
Exposure: It is suited for sunny-brightly exposure, but can tolerate light shade. However it will do its best only with lots of sun and become stressed with inadequate light which could result in poor growth and unnatural shape. It has a good heat tolerance.
Watering: Water regularly in summer, but do not over-water and keep it completely dry during winter. Mature individuals easily rot and die especially after transplanting so be extremely cautious with watering. Keep dry in winter or when night temperatures remain below 10° C. Water it less than average if in bigger pots.
Fertilization: Feed them once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus and succulents (high potash fertilizer with a dilute low nitrogen), including all micro nutrients and trace elements diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. They thrive in poor soils and need a limited supplies of fertilizer to avoid the plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases.
Special need: It is suited for airy exposures. Provide very good ventilation. Nearly all problems occur as a result of overwatering and poor ventilation, especially when weather conditions are dull and cool or very humid. They must have very dry atmosphere.
Hardiness: It likes warmth (recommended minimum winter temperature 5° C), but Hardy to at least -5°C (it can probably tolerate freezing temperatures down to -10° C for brief periods) It has a good heat tolerance.
Pests & diseases: These cacti may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for.
- Red spiders: Red spiders may be effectively rubbed up by misting the plants from above.
- Mealy bugs: Mealy bugs occasionally develop aerial into the new leaves and flowers with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales, thrips and aphids: These insects are rarely a problem.
- Rot: Rot is only a minor problem if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.
Propagation: Usually propagated from seeds (seldom produces offsets) or graft. The seeds can be sown in pots of fine, well-drained sandy soil, any time during the spring when temperatures are warm. Cover the seeds with a fine layer of grit and water from below with a fungicide to prevent damping off. For the 1-2 weeks cover the pots with a sheet of glass/clear perspex to keep the humidity levels high. Remove the glass and replace it with light shade-cloth and mist once or twice a day for the next two weeks after which most seeds should have germinated. From then on mistings can be reduced to every second and then every third day as the little plants grow. The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted after which they can be planted separately in small pots. Sometimes it is grafted to avoid root rot problems as plants grafted on an hardy stock are easy to grow and no special skill is required.