Old-Man-of-the-Andes

Oreocereus celsianus

"Oreocereus celsianus", or the "old man of the mountain" is a member of the family Cactaceae native to the high lands of the Andes in South America, and is named for its fluffy white hair, which may protect it from intense sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Oreocereus celsianus or Old Man of the Andes  Geotagged,Oreocereus celsianus,United States,Winter

Appearance

Growing to around 3 metres tall, "O. celsianus" is covered in a downy white hair, with greatest density at the tips of stems receding to near-bare at the base. The ribbed body has many long, brown spines and blooms in spring with long, tubular red flowers.

Distribution

"Oreocereus celsianus" occurs naturally at high altitudes across Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.

Habitat

Pollinated by hummingbirds in spring.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderCaryophyllales
FamilyCactaceae
GenusOreocereus
SpeciesO. celsianus