About Soehrensia schickendantzii (F.A.C.Weber) Schlumpb.
Soehrensia schickendantzii typically grows as a shrubby cactus. It is occasionally solitary, but more often branches from its base to form clumps. Its cylindrical to elongated, shiny light green shoots measure 15 to 25 centimeters long, and reach up to 6 centimeters in diameter. This species has 14 to 18 low, somewhat sharp, notched ribs. The areoles on these ribs are positioned very close together, and occasionally even touch one another. Yellowish thorns grow from these areoles; these thorns are flexible, and reach up to 1 centimeter in length. There are four central spines, and the number of central spines occasionally increases as the plant ages. There are nine marginal spines. White, unscented, tubular to funnel-shaped hypanthium flowers grow near the top of the shoot, and open at night. These flowers are 20 to 22 inches long, and their flower tube is densely covered in black hairs. The spherical, dark green fruits are sweet, tear open when mature, and reach up to 6 centimeters long and 5 centimeters in diameter. This species is distributed in northwestern Argentina, in the provinces of Salta, Catamarca, Jujuy, and Tucumán, and in southern Bolivia, in the departments of Tarija, Chuquisaca, and Santa Cruz. It grows at elevations between 1600 and 3200 meters, in high elevation grassland and Yungas forest.
