Cleistocactus crassicaulis

Cleistocactus crassicaulis is a species of columnar cacti in the genus Cleistocactus.

Description

Cleistocactus cassicaulis is a shrubby cactus with slightly spreading to spreading gray-green shoots that branch at the base. It grows to heights of 1.5 to 3 meters and has a diameter of. The plant features 16 to 18 undulating ribs, with areoles spaced about apart along these ribs. The spines are golden-yellow, straight, and range from in length. Typically, there is one strong, needle-like central spine, sometimes several, measuring. Additionally, there are 5 to 6 radial spines, each between 5 and long.
The plant produces many radially symmetrical green flowers near the tips of its shoots, which open at night. These flowers are approximately long. The green bracts beneath the flowers are very small, about. The spherical fruits are light yellow to reddish-yellow, measuring in diameter. They split irregularly from the tip when ripe.

Distribution

Cleistocactus cassicaulis is native to Bolivia, specifically in the departments of Chuquisaca and Tarija, where it grows in Yungas at elevations between 750 and 2,300 meters.

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1961 by Martín Cárdenas, based on a plant collected in Angosto de Villa Montes in Tarija Department, Bolivia. It was named for its tick-like stems. In 2002, Roy Mottram classified it as a subspecies of Cleistocactus tominensis. However, it is distinguished from C. tominensis by having fewer ribs and radial spines, and it occurs at lower elevations. Later, it was recognized as a distinct species.