A robust, saguaro-like, South American columnar cactus, this differs from its North American counterpart in its denser, more bristly spination and less branched stems. These are stout, to 1' in diameter, to 30' or more tall, branching and candelabriform only in age. Like the saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) in the Sonoran Desert, T. pasacana is a dominant component of the vegetation in many habitats in northern Argentina and southern Bolivia, where it can form nearly homogeneous stands. HBG 84947, plants from seed collected Apr. 13, 1996, by W. Wisura at ca. 3200' elev., in a wide mountain valley E of Cochin, in the vicinity of Salta, Argentina. $5.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 74 (2), March - April, 2002