About Armatocereus cartwrightianus (Britton & Rose) Backeb. ex W.Hill
Armatocereus cartwrightianus grows as either a shrub or a tree, and can reach heights of up to 12 meters. It typically forms a well-developed trunk that grows up to 2 meters tall, with a diameter of up to 30 cm (12 inches). Its dark green shoots are split into segments 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches) long and 7 to 10 cm (2.8 to 3.9 inches) in diameter, which taper at both ends. This cactus has six to nine ribs 1.5 to 2.5 cm (0.59 to 0.98 inches) high, separated by deep incisions. Its spines are needle-like and brown when young, later turning white with darker tips. There are 1 to 4 central spines, measuring 2 to 10 cm (0.79 to 3.94 inches) long. The 15 to 25 spreading radial spines range from 5 to 25 mm (0.20 to 0.98 inches) in length. The white flowers of Armatocereus cartwrightianus grow horizontally, are 7 to 9 cm (2.8 to 3.5 inches) long, and have a diameter of 4 to 5 cm (1.6 to 2.0 inches). Its fruits are egg-shaped, start out green and turn red as they mature, and measure 5 to 9 cm (2.0 to 3.5 inches) long. This species is found on dry coastal plains in southern Ecuador and northern Peru.
