Xerophyte

Habit

Rarely single, it usually develops into a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, with branches arising from near the base, starting nearly at right angles to the main trunk but soon erect, the tallest sometimes 8 meters high.

Central Spines

1 to 4, porrect, projecting, often stout, usually 5-7 cm long, but some of the longest spines can grow up to 25 centimetres long .

Description

Echinopsis chiloensisSN|7742]]SN|7742]] previously known as Trichocereus chiloensisSN|7744]]SN|7744]] is a fiercely spiny cactus.

Flowers

Nocturnal 14 cm. long, outer perianth-segments white but tinged with red or brown; inner perianth-segments white, acuminate. Style green below, cream-coloured above; stigma-lobes about 18 cream-coloured up to 15 mm long.

Spines

Yellowish with brown tips, at least when young, greyish later.

Ribs

10 to 17 low and broad, separated by narrow intervals, divided into large tubercles even when fully mature.

Stem

Up to 8 m tall, stems 10-12 cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

8 to 12 radials, 1-4 cm long, lightly spreading, often stout.

Fruits

Globular.

Areoles

Large whitish, 2 cm apart.