This is one of the most widespread of the melocacti ranging from Mexico to Venezuela.  Therefore, it is also one of the most variable and has given rise to numerous synonyms.  We have grown this collection for a number of years under the unpublished name Melocactus panamensis as it is the first recorded from that country.  It has stout straight spines (despite the epithet curvispinus) and cephalia with copious white wool covering most of the reddish bristles.  HBG 95203, second generation plants from seed originally collected Mar. 8, 1992, by Tom Cseh and Jorge Aranda at Monte Oscuro, Majagual, Panama.  $5.