Xerophyte

Central Spines

1-4 about 2-8 cm long, gently curved, longer than radials.

Description

Oreocereus leucotrichus is a small shrubby columnar cactus, forming dense broad clumps covered in spines. It is a much variable species.

Taxonomy

The species that was described as Oreocereus hendricksenianus in Arequipa is considered a different species by some authors.

Flowers

Diurnal borne in small groups near the stem tips, 5-10 cm long, and 3-5 cm wide, corolla with dark red or purple red tepals and several dark purple stamina. Floral tube slender, straight, or slightly curved, red with densely pilose areoles and small scales on the ovary.

Spines

Stout, yellowish to maroon to orange, not becoming gray that often fall below as the plant gets old.

Ribs

10 to 15(-20), closely set, flattened, with shallow cross-furrows.

Stem

Solitary or (usually) branching basally, curved upward often prostrate and creeping, cylindrical with green to grey-green epidermis that grow to a height of approximately 60-200 cm, 6-12 cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

5-10 to 15 mm long.

Fruits

Globose to somewhat elongate, reddish yellow to yellowish green, 2-6 cm in diameter, with thin epicarp (skin) and slightly acid pulp.

Areoles

Close together with abundant white to black silky hairs 5-10 cm long, thicker on the more recent vegetation.