About Maihuenia patagonica (Phil.) Britton & Rose
Maihuenia patagonica (Phil.) Britton & Rose forms dense cushions that are typically 30–40 cm (12–16 in) tall and up to 3 meters in diameter, covered in densely packed spines. It grows a single taproot that reaches 40 cm (16 in) in length. Its elongated, unsegmented shoots are loosely arranged, growing up to 40 centimeters long with a diameter of 1 to 2 centimeters. Numerous short shoots that are button-like to cylindrical and spur-like are present across the plant. The abundant green leaves are conical, ovoid, or linear in shape, with a circular to elliptical cross-section. They measure 2 to 6 millimeters long and 1.5 to 3 millimeters in diameter. Each areole produces one stiff central spine that is 3 to 7.5 centimeters long, along with 2 marginal spines (rarely only one or no marginal spines at all). These marginal spines are sometimes inconspicuous, sometimes lie flat against the shoot surface, and measure 2 to 8 millimeters long. Its white to violet flowers usually grow at the tip of short shoots. The fruits are elongated to nearly spherical or club-shaped, and measure 2 to 4 centimeters long. The chromosome count for this species is 2n = 22. Maihuenia patagonica is widespread in southern Argentina and Chile, growing at altitudes of up to 500 meters.
