About Corryocactus brevistylus (Schum. ex Vaupel) Britton & Rose
Corryocactus brevistylus is a species of cactus that grows to between 2 and 5 meters tall, with erect stems that range from dark green to yellowish-green in color, and measure 12 to 15 cm in diameter. A defining feature of this cactus is its 6 to 8 clearly defined ribs. Each rib bears large, circular, raised areoles, which are orange-brown when young and turn gray as they mature, spaced 2 to 4 cm apart from one another.
The spines of Corryocactus brevistylus are needle-shaped and uniform in appearance, with no clear distinction between central and radial spines. Typically colored yellow to reddish-brown, the spines fade as they age, and there are approximately 15 spines per areole. Shorter spines along the periphery of an areole measure 0.3 to 3 cm long, while the 2 to 4 central spines are much longer, ranging from 4 to 10 cm, and can reach up to 24 cm in length.
This cactus produces funnel-shaped, yellow flowers that are 8 to 11 cm long and up to 10 cm in diameter. The flowers open during the day, have no scent, and grow from the sides of the stems. Their floral tube is densely covered with narrow grayish-green scales and grayish felt. The flowers have inward-bent stamens, short styles, and a highly branched stigma.
The fruits of Corryocactus brevistylus are large, round, and yellowish-green, with a diameter of 7 to 10 cm. Young fruits are covered in numerous spines, which are shed once the fruit ripens. Ripe fruits contain juicy pulp and oval, brown seeds.
Corryocactus brevistylus is a shrubby cactus native to the inter-Andean valleys of southern Peru and northern Chile, where it grows in desert and dry scrubland biomes. It grows best on arid, stony, sandy, and rocky hillsides at elevations between 2,000 and 3,600 meters, and can tolerate very little moisture and temperatures below 10°C. The fruits of this cactus are eaten by guanacos, which help disperse the cactus's seeds. The plant Tillandsia usneoides can grow on the stems of Corryocactus brevistylus. Although Tillandsia usneoides is not parasitic, it can shade the cactus, which may lead to reduced fruit production.
