About Lobivia bridgesii subsp. bridgesii
Lobivia bridgesii subsp. bridgesii commonly grows in clusters, producing three to six new shoots from its base. Its shoots range in shape from spherical to elongated, growing up to 40 centimeters tall and 13 centimeters in diameter. The cactus has nine to twelve distinct, notched ribs, with large brown areoles growing along these ribs. Thorns emerge from the areoles, ranging in shape from short and conical to longer and needle-like, and reach a maximum length of 2 centimeters. Most individuals grow a single central spine, though some lack a central spine entirely and others grow multiple central spines; this central spine is darker at its base and gray at the tip. It produces 8 to 10 very unevenly sized brown marginal spines. The cactus’s white flowers open at night, and measure 15 to 20 centimeters in length. This taxon (also referred to as Echinopsis bridgesii) is native to the department of La Paz, Bolivia, where it grows in dry valleys and puna grassland at elevations between 2900 and 3200 meters.
