The ten to 15 (rarely up to 30) low, broad ribs are slightly notched between the areoles.

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.

[3] Accepted subspecies: 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.