About Oreocereus leucotrichus (Phil.) Wagenkn.
Oreocereus leucotrichus (Phil.) Wagenkn. grows as a shrub, with numerous upwardly curved shoots that branch from its base to form dense clumps. Its columnar shoots measure 1 to 2 meters in length, with a diameter between 6 and 12 centimeters (2.4 to 4.7 inches). The shoots bear 10 to 15 flat, shallowly grooved ribs. The areoles located on these ribs are covered in numerous white to black hairs that are 5 to 10 centimeters (2.0 to 3.9 inches) long. The spines that grow from the areoles are rigid, range in color from yellowish to chestnut brown or orange, and do not fade to gray as they age. This cactus produces 1 to 4 slightly curved central spines, each 5 to 8 centimeters (2.0 to 3.1 inches) long, plus 5 to 10 radial spines that grow up to 1.5 centimeters (0.59 inches) long. Crimson-colored flowers emerge near the tips of the shoots, and reach 8 to 10 centimeters (3.1 to 3.9 inches) in length. The fruits are spherical to slightly elongated, range in color from reddish yellow to yellowish green, and have a diameter of 4 to 6 centimeters (1.6 to 2.4 inches). This species is widespread in the Peruvian regions of Ayacucho and Arequipa, as well as in northern Chile, where it grows at altitudes between 2000 and 3500 meters.
