Haageocereus is a genus of cacti in the family Cactaceae, order Caryophyllales, endemic to the extremely arid coastal desert lowlands of Peru and northern Chile. The genus contains around 18 accepted species and is notable for its adaptation to one of the driest environments on Earth — the Atacama and Peruvian coastal fog zones.
Plants in this genus grow in shrub- to tree-like forms, with outstretched, creeping, or ascending stems that are typically ribbed and densely armed. Each areole bears numerous spines, and flowering areoles often develop additional bristles. The stems may be prostrate or erect depending on species.
The flowers are tubular to bell-shaped, ranging in colour from white to pink or red. They are nocturnal, opening at night and persisting into the following day. The flower tube is thick and fleshy, with both the cup and tube covered in scales and few to many hairs. Stamens are arranged in a single ring.
Fruits are fleshy, spherical, and vary from green to red, bearing a few scales and hairs. The dried remains of the flower persist at the fruit apex. Seeds are egg-shaped, glossy black, and irregularly pitted on their surface.
Distribution
Haageocereus is endemic to the lower elevations of the coastal desert strip running along Peru and northern Chile, one of the driest environments on Earth.
Taxonomy Notes
Haageocereus belongs to the family Cactaceae, order Caryophyllales. GBIF recognises approximately 18 accepted descendants within the genus.
