Melocactus curvispinus f. monstrous

The monstrous shape of this cactus presents shape anomalies such as asymmetries or lack of thorns, which make each specimen unique and for this reason much appreciated by collectors around the world. In the normal form , M. curvispinus has a body of a very variable green, from the globose shape, depressed at the apex, which with the growth can become slightly cylindrical reaching a maximum height of about 30 centimeters. It is formed by strongly longitudinally furrowed ribs, at times tuberculate, adorned by little showy areoles from which recurve spines emerge that can be whitish or often get, with maturity, to become almost black. The highlight of the plant is its cephalium that develops at the apex with long reddish bristles. Its flowers bloom between spring and summer and are purple or pink in color.