About Soehrensia tarijensis subsp. tarijensis
Soehrensia tarijensis subsp. tarijensis starts growing as a single individual, and later develops into a shrub with few side branches, reaching up to 5 meters tall. Its strong, cylindrical, dark green shoots can grow up to 35 centimeters in diameter. This cactus has 15 to 21 ribs. Large, distinct areoles grow on these ribs, are covered in gray felt, and are positioned close to one another. Light brown to whitish, unequal thorns grow from these areoles. The stiff, stinging spines are slightly curved and thickened at the base, and reach up to 8 centimeters in length. The species produces one to four central spines and 50 or more radial spines. Its funnel-shaped flowers range in color from red to pink to creamy white, and grow near the tip of the shoot. Flowers grow up to 12 centimeters long and 9 centimeters in diameter. The egg-shaped green fruits are 3.5 to 5 centimeters long, with a diameter of 2 to 3 centimeters. This subspecies is widespread in southwestern and southern Bolivia, and the Argentine province of Jujuy, where it grows in the Andes at altitudes between 3000 and 4500 meters.
