Cleistocactus strausii

Native to Tarija in southern Bolivia, this columnar cactus branches from the base, producing upright, ribbed stems densely covered with fine white spines. In cultivation, it commonly reaches about 5 feet tall. Rose-red tubular flowers, about 3 inches long, grow along the stems and remain narrowly open. It is grown as an ornamental. Plants can be propagated from seeds or stem cuttings. It has been introduced to the Canary Islands, Spain. Photographed in Peru.