Leucostele chiloensis

Botanical Description

Leucostele chiloensis is a spiny, evergreen, succulent, columnar cactus. A tree-like plant, branching basally or nearly so, first at right angles, then erect, it can grow up to 8 metres tall. The stems are stout, cylindrical, around 10 - 12cm in diameter[ 1987 Title The Cactus Family Publication Author Anderson E.F. Publisher Timber Press; Portland, Oregon Year 2001 ISBN 0-88192-498-9 Description An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation.. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food a nd a source of materials. It is often grown as an ornamental, especially within its native range, and is also grown as a living fence to act as a barrier and boundary marker[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ], Leucostele chiloensis has a wide range, is abundant, and even though it has threats these occur only in portions of its distribution. Furthermore, it is found in several protected areas. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].