Cleistocactus pungens is a species of columnar cactus in the genus Cleistocactus, endemic to Peru.
Description
Cleistocactus pungens grows as a shrub with spreading shoots and reaches heights of 1 to 1.5 meters with diameters of 3 to 4 centimeters. There are about 13 wavy ribs. The areoles on it, which are initially brown and later gray, are close together. The straight, needle-like, stiff, protruding thorns are initially dark reddish brown and later gray. The usually 2 to 5 central spines are 2 to 5 centimeters long, the 8 to 12 marginal spines are 2 to 12 millimeters long.
The horizontally protruding, purple-colored flowers are slightly curved downwards above the pericarpel. They are up to 7.5 centimeters long and have a diameter of 5 millimeters. The spherical, red fruits reach a diameter of up to 2 centimeters.
Distribution
Cleistocactus pungens is widespread in the Peruvian regions of Ayacucho and Apurímac at altitudes of 1500 to 2000 meters.
Taxonomy
The first description was made in 1964 by Friedrich Ritter. The specific epithet pungens comes from Latin, means 'stinging' and refers to the thorns of the species.