Description and images of Maihuenia poeppigii (Maihuén), a native Chilean plant, provided by the supplier of native exotic Chilean seeds, Chileflora.com

Image of Maihuenia poeppigii (Maihuén). Click to enlarge parts of image.

Image of Maihuenia poeppigii

VIII Region, Termas de Chillan, Chile
Altitude: 1600 m. 03 22, 2008

Species:	Maihuenia poeppigii (Otto ex Pfeiffer) Phil. ex K. Schum
Family:	Cactaceae
Order:	Caryophyllales
Chilean Name:	Maihuén
English Name:
German Name:
Russian Name:

Record:	0044
	About 1 Maihuenia in Chile and 1 in our data base.
	About 164 Cactaceae in Chile and 67 in our data base.




	Endemic Frequent Height: 10 cm. Good ornamental value (A)

Our philosophy and explanations about this page

Here you can buy the seeds of this species.

INTRODUCTION

This cactus is very interesting for cultivation for several reasons. Firstly, this cactus grows in mountains and in winter it is covered by snopw during several months. Few cacti in the world can do that. For this same reason, it is very important to carry out cold stratification of the seeds. Secondly, this cactus is edible and has very big fruits, compared to its size. Thirdly, it grows fast and begins fruiting just in a few years. You should consider that most edible cacti may take up to 10 years before starting to produce fruits. This one is fast.

Image of Maihuenia poeppigii (Maihuén). Click to enlarge parts of image.

Image of Maihuenia poeppigii

VIII Region, Termas de Chillan, Chile
Altitude: 1600 m. 03 22, 2008

DESCRIPTION

Plant type: Shrub

Flower: Yellow, 7 - 14 petals
White, 7 - 14 petals

Height: 10 cm.

Image of Maihuenia poeppigii (Maihuén). Click to enlarge parts of image.

Image of Maihuenia poeppigii

VIII Region, Termas de Chillan, Chile
Altitude: 1600 m. 03 22, 2008

HABITAT

In Chile this species grows in the following environmental conditions:

Habitat according to altitude:

High altitude close to the timber line
Medium altitude up to the timber line
Low altitude, interior valleys
Coastal mountains, 500 - 2000 m.
Coastal areas, 0 - 500 m

Watering conditions:

Humid areas, with almost constant rainfall. Short dry periods are possible (generally not longer than 1 month).
Somewhat dry areas where the drought may last 3 - 5 months. Precipitations of 400 - 800 mm. are concentrated in winter.

Light conditions:

Fully exposed to the sun. Level areas or slopes facing north.

Image of Maihuenia poeppigii (Maihuén). Click to enlarge parts of image.