Tephrocactus articulatus var. papyracanthus, which is commonly known as Paper Spine Cactus, has long, flat spines that look like paper (hence the name Paper Spine Cactus). As the spines grow longer, they begin to curl. Paper Spine Cacti are comprised of small, oval segments that fall off of the plant fairly easily.
 
The Paper Spine Cactus is native to the Andes mountain range in Argentina. The Paper Spine Cactus (Tephrocactus articulatus) is the most widespread species of the Tephrocactus genus with populations extending from the Mendoza province in west-central Argentina through all of the northwestern provinces as far north as Salta.