Tephrocactus floccosus: mound cactus, Cuyoc Valley, Cordillera Huayhuash, Andes, Peru

Tephrocactus floccosus (or T. rauhii) is a mounding cactus found widespread from central-Northern Peru to Bolivia in the Andean High Plateau. This alpine cactus forms colonies of 60 cm diameter and larger, in a mat covered with yellow spines and a profusion of long, soft, whitish/grey hairy glochids. Its flower petals are orange-red (or yellow) with yellow centre. The edible fruits are yellowish when unripe and orange when ripe. The anti-inflammatory fruits can help reduce swelling when applied on contusions. This photo is from the Cuyoc Valley at 4800 meters elevation, on Day 5 of 9 days trekking around the Cordillera Huayhuash in the Andes Mountains, Peru, South America.

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Copyright: © Tom Dempsey / PhotoSeek.com
Image Size: 5250x3534 / 5.4MB; http://www.photoseek.com/; Magnoliophyta Plantae angiosperms bloom blossom flowers love plants
Contained in galleries: 2014 Jul 6-18 PERU: Huayhuash loop trek, PERU: Cordillera Huayhuash loop 2014

Tephrocactus floccosus (or T. rauhii) is a mounding cactus found widespread from central-Northern Peru to Bolivia in the Andean High Plateau. This alpine cactus forms colonies of 60 cm diameter and larger, in a mat covered with yellow spines and a profusion of long, soft, whitish/grey hairy glochids. Its flower petals are orange-red (or yellow) with yellow centre. The edible fruits are yellowish when unripe and orange when ripe. The anti-inflammatory fruits can help reduce swelling when applied on contusions. This photo is from the Cuyoc Valley at 4800 meters elevation, on Day 5 of 9 days trekking around the Cordillera Huayhuash in the Andes Mountains, Peru, South America.