About Soehrensia tarijensis subsp. bertramiana (Backeb.) Schlumpb.
Soehrensia tarijensis subsp. bertramiana grows individually when young, and later develops into a shrub with a small number of side branches that can reach up to 5 meters in height. Its strong, cylindrical, dark green shoots grow up to 35 centimeters in diameter, and carry between 15 and 21 ribs. Large, distinct areoles sit close together on these ribs, and are covered with gray felt. Light brown to whitish, uneven thorns grow from these areoles. The stiff, stinging spines are slightly curved, thickened at the base, and range from 1 to 8 centimeters in length. This cactus produces 1 to 4 central spines, plus 50 or more radial spines. Its funnel-shaped flowers range in color from red to pink to creamy white, and grow near the tips of shoots. The flowers reach up to 12 centimeters in length and 9 centimeters in diameter. The egg-shaped green fruits are 3.5 to 5 centimeters long, and 2 to 3 centimeters in diameter. This subspecies of Soehrensia tarijensis is widespread in the Andes, in southwestern and southern Bolivia and the Argentine province of Jujuy, growing at altitudes between 3000 and 4500 meters.
