Echinofossulocactus gladiatus

It is a globular cactus with a solitary habit, which can occasionally be clustered at the base. Its bluish-green stem, slightly concave at the apex, has multiple slender ribs, well furrowed and of a wavy shape, equipped with large white downy areoles. It takes the name "gladiatus" for the particular shape of its central spines, which recalls the ancient sword of the gladiators - the "gladius". The radial spines are thin, short, straight, of a white color, while the central ones are larger, long and flat, of a yellowish color with darker tips. Flowering occurs at the apex of the plant, generating small, funnel-shaped white flowers with purple and red central streaks.