Echinopsis cuzcoensis

Echinopsis cuzcoensis is a species of Echinopsis cactus found in Peru.

Description

Echinopsis cuzcoensis grows tree-shaped with numerous, somewhat spreading branches and reaches heights of 5 to 6 meters. The cylindrical shoots are green. There are seven to eight low and rounded ribs. The areoles on them are apart. About twelve very strong, stiff thorns emerge from them and are swollen at their base. The thorns are up to long.
The funnel-shaped, white flowers are fragrant. They are open day and night. The flowers are long.

Distribution

Echinopsis cuzcoensis is widespread in the Cusco region of Peru at altitudes of 3100 to 3600 meters.

Taxonomy

The first description by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose was published in 1920 as Trichocereus cuzcoensis. The specific epithet cuzcoensis refers to the occurrence of the species near the Peruvian city of Cusco. Nomenclature synonyms are Cereus cuzcoensis Werderm. and Trichocereus cuzcoensis Britton & Rose.