Haageocereus pseudomelanostele

Haageocereus pseudomelanostele is a species of Haageocereus found in Peru.

Description
Haageocereus pseudomelanostele grows shrubby, sometimes forming groups. The upright shoots are richly branched from the base up to 70 cm high and 8 cm in diameter. The large areoles are narrow and lined with white wool. The usually only one central spine is initially protruding, later directed downwards, strong, needle-like and up to 5 cm long. Sometimes there are additional secondary 3 to 6 central spines with a gray tinge. Numerous yellowish radial spines are up to 1.5 cm long and mixed with many white bristles up to 3 cm long.

The white flowers are dark purple on the outside and have a greenish-white to red throat. They are about 10 cm long. The bright red fruits are ovate, up to 6 cm long and 4 cm in diameter.

Subspecies
This species is extremely variable, and different populations have been described as distinct species

The following are recognized subspecies:

Distribution
Haageocereus pseudomelanostele is found in the Peruvian regions of Ancash, Ica and Lima at altitudes of 300 to 2000 meters.

Taxonomy
The first description as Cereus pseudomelanostele was made in 1932 by Erich Werdermann and Curt Backeberg. Curt Backeberg placed the species in the genus Haageocereus in 1936. Other nomenclatural synonyms are Binghamia pseudomelanostele (Werderm. & Backeb.) Backeb. (1932, incorrect name, ICBN article 11.4) and Echinopsis pseudomelanostele (Werderm. & Backeb.) Anceschi & Magli (2013).