Xerophyte

Description

The typical Echinopsis atacamensisSN|7374]]SN|7374]] subsp. pasacana is a massive tall tree-like cactus (commonly known as the "Pasacana Cactus " or “Cardón Grande”) with a strong branched habit. It is popular and grown for the huge stem that stays for a long time solitary but produces lateral branches and becomes Saguaro-like with age. The crested form can also get very big making a spectacular specimen.

Flowers

Not known.

Spines

30-50, unequal, hardly distinguishable from radials to central, subulate, rigid, yellow-brown, the longest up to 15 (or more) cm long, but usually less than 10 cm long.

Ribs

Deep and Rounded.

Stem

Pale green and heavily ribbed with numerous areoles sprouting radial, yellow-brown spines.

Fruits

Not known.

Areoles

creamy to brownish becoming large, round that produce at once a whole spine cluster, but the areoles remain capable of further growth. Many years later new spines may be formed from the upper part of the areoles.