Echinopsis cuzcoensis

Echinopsis cuzcoensis is a species of Echinopsis found in Peru.

Description
Echinopsis cuzcoensis grows tree-shaped with numerous, somewhat spreading branches and reaches heights of 5 to 6 meters. The cylindrical shoots are green. There are seven to eight low and rounded ribs. The areoles on them are 1 to 1.5 cm apart. About twelve very strong, stiff thorns emerge from them and are swollen at their base. The thorns are up to 7 cm long.

The funnel-shaped, white flowers are fragrant. They are open day and night. The flowers are 12 to 14 cm long.

Distribution
Echinopsis cuzcoensis is widespread in the Cusco region of Peru at altitudes of 3100 to 3600 meters.

Taxonomy
The first description by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose was published in 1920 as Trichocereus cuzcoensis. The specific epithet cuzcoensis refers to the occurrence of the species near the Peruvian city of Cusco. Nomenclature synonyms are Cereus cuzcoensis (Britton & Rose) Werderm. (1931) and Trichocereus cuzcoensis Britton & Rose (1920).