Leucostele undulosa

Leucostele undulosa is a species of Leucostele found in Chile.

Description
Leucostele undulosa has a columnar growth habit, achieving a height of up to 2.5 meters and a trunk diameter of 11 centimeters. Its dark green branches, measuring 15 centimeters in diameter, feature stems with 20 ribs and obovate gray areoles, each 2 mm high and 8 mm in diameter. Within these areoles, 3-4 central spines, measuring 4 cm in length, exhibit a white hue with brown markings, accompanied by 12 radial spines measuring 1 cm in length, displaying a spectrum from dark green to white with brown spots.

This plant produces 3–10 subapical white flowers, measuring 13 cm in length and 6 cm in diameter. The green fruits, 3 cm in diameter and 2.5 cm long, feature abundant axillary gray hairs. Notably, Leucostele undulosa is similar to Leucostele skottsbergii but stands out with its darker green branches, more ribs, a thicker and different color spines.

Distribution
Indigenous to Coquimbo, Chile, this species is found at altitudes of 400 meters, specifically in low scrub areas and on rocks alongside Puya species.

Taxonomy
The nomenclature of this species is based on the undulating shape of its ribs, producing a tuberculate appearance.