Xerophyte

One must know a little about the habitat of the genus, Eulychnia to truly appreciate it. These relatively large plants which reach up to 23 feet (7m) high grow in the deserts along the coasts of Chile and Peru. These deserts receive little to no rainfall and the plants that live there survive from the condensation brought about by the heavy and frequent fog of the area. Here Eulychnia species grow as large shrubs or trees with many branches. The stems are covered with many long spines arranged on tuberculate ribs. The floral tubes are covered in spines, wool, scales, or all three and are round in shape and when the flower opens, resemble a ball that popped open on one side. Eulychnia is not common in cultivation and only collectors with a specific interest in the genus seem to grow them.