Cleistocactus pungens
Cleistocactus pungens is a species of columnar cactus in the genus Cleistocactus, endemic to Peru.
Description
Cleistocactus pungens grows as a shrub with spreading shoots and reaches heights of 1 to 1.5 meters with diameters of 3 to 4 centimeters. The grey-green stems have about 12-15 wavy ribs. The areoles on it, which are initially brown and later gray, are close together at 5–7mm apart. The straight, needle-like, stiff, protruding thorns are initially dark reddish brown and later gray. The usually 2 to 5 central spines are 2 to 5 centimeters long, the 8 to 12 marginal spines are 2 to 12 millimeters long.The horizontally protruding, red purple-colored flowers are slightly curved downwards above the pericarpel. They are 7-8 centimeters long and have a diameter of 6-8 millimeters. The spherical, pale red fruits reach a diameter of up to 2 centimeters.