Cactaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Oreocereus leucotrichus

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Oreocereus leucotrichus is a spiny, succulent, shrubby cactus, branching basally to form dense broad clumps with many stems curved upward. Stems columnar, 1 - 2 metres high, 6 - 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. It is grown as an ornamental. Oreocereus leucotrichus has a wide range, is abundant, and, although it is harvested from the wild in some areas for use in horticulture, there are no major threats. 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. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeS. America - northern Chile, Bolivia, Peru

HabitatAndean shrubland, growing on rocky soils; at elevations from 2,000 - 3,500 metres[ 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. ].