About Acanthocalycium leucanthum (Gillies ex Salm-Dyck) Schlumpb.
Scientific name: Acanthocalycium leucanthum (Gillies ex Salm-Dyck) Schlumpb.
Description: Acanthocalycium leucanthum most often grows alone, but occasionally forms small clusters. Its spherical to short cylindrical, gray-green shoots grow up to 35 cm (14 in) tall, and rarely reach heights of 80 cm (31 in), with diameters of 12 cm (4.7 in). This cactus has 12 to 14 blunt, slightly notched ribs. Elongated, yellowish-white areoles sit on these ribs 1 to 1.5 cm (0.39 to 0.59 in) apart. There is a single thick, brown, upward-curved central spine that measures 5 to 10 cm (2.0 to 3.9 in) in length. It has 8 to 10 yellowish-brown, curved, slightly twisted marginal spines, growing up to 2.5 cm (0.98 in) long. The species produces long, funnel-shaped flowers that are white, occasionally lightly pink; these flowers grow on the upper sections of shoots, open at night, and reach up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long. Its spherical to elongated fleshy fruits range in color from greenish red to deep red.
Distribution: Acanthocalycium leucanthum is widely distributed across northwestern to central Argentina, growing at elevations from sea level up to 1000 meters.
