Echinopsis atacamensis

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It is a tree-like plant. It produces small side branches. It can grow 10 m high. The stems are cylinder shaped and 7 cm across. There are 20-30 ribs. There are 50-100 spines in groups. They can be 28-30 cm long. The flowers are borne on the side. They are white with a red tint. They are 10-14 cm long. The fruit are round and dark green. They are covered with dense hairs. They are 5 cm across. The fruit are edible.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, South America

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cardon, Cavul, Pasakana, Sardon grande

Synonyms

Cereus atacamensis Philippi; Trichocereus atacamensis (Philippi) W.T. Marshall & Bock; Helianthocereus atacamensis (Philippi) Backeberg; Pilocereus pasacana F.A.C. Weber ex Rumpler; Cereus pasacana (F.A.C. Weber ex Rumpler) F.A.C. Weber; Trichocereus pasacana (F.A.C. Weber ex Rumpler) Britton & Rose; Helianthocereus pasacana (F.A.C. Weber ex Rumpler) Backeberg; Echinopsis pasacana (F.A.C. Weber ex Rumpler) H. Friedrich & G.D. Rowley; Echinopsis atacamensis subsp. pasacana (F.A.C. Weber ex Rumpler) G. Navarro; Leucostele rivierei Backeberg; Trichocereus rivieri (Backeberg) Krainz; Echinopsis rivieri (Backeberg) H. Friedrich & G.D. Rowley; Trichocereus eremophilus F. Ritter;