Echinopsis atacamensis
# Echinopsis atacamensis

Echinopsis atacamensis (cardón) is a species of cactus from Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. The wood of this species can be used in building and in making furniture.

## Description

Echinopsis atacamensis has a tall columnar habit, sometimes forming branches and becoming treelike. It grows to about 10 m (33 ft) high, with stems to 70 cm (27.6 in) across. The stems have 20-30 ribs and areoles with 50-100 maroon coloured spines, the longest up to 30 cm (12 in) long. The rose-white flowers are 10–14 cm (3.9–5.5 in) long, borne on the sides of the stems. The dark green fruits are densely covered with hairs, up to 5 cm (2.0 in) long; they are edible.

## Systematics

Echinopsis atacamensis was first described by Rodolfo Philippi as Cereus atacamensis in 1860. It was placed in a number of genera, including Trichocereus and Helianthocereus, before being moved to Echinopsis by Helmo Friedrich and Gordon Rowley in 1974.

There are two recognized subspecies.

| Image | Name | Description | Distribution |
| - | - | - | - |
| | Echinopsis atacamensis subsp. pasacana (F.A.C.Weber ex Rümpler) Schlumpb. | often branched, 10 m (33 ft) tall | Argentina and Bolivia |
| | Echinopsis atacamensis subsp. atacamensis | usually unbranched, less tall (up to 6 m (20 ft) | Chile. |
