Eriosyce subgibbosa aka Ouchacacti

Eriosyce subgibbosa is a cactus from the coast of Chile. It belongs to Cactaceae, the cactus family. Kew lists its native range as central Chile. Kew calls it a succulent subshrub, a small, fleshy shrub. Its Spanish common name is Quisquito. Old sources use the name Neoporteria subgibbosa. They also use Chilenia subgibbosa. The RHS accepts the current name, Eriosyce subgibbosa. It says the plant is not native to Britain or Ireland.

Its range in Chile includes Atacama, Coquimbo, and Valparaiso. It also includes O’Higgins, Maule, and Biobio. It grows from sea level to about 984 feet [300 metres]. Rock is a key part of its wild home. Plants grow on coastal terraces, cliffs, slopes, and bare rock. Some hang from rocks in sclerophyllous forest. This is a type of wood with hard-leaved trees. Thus, wild plants grow on coastal rocks and in woods. They do not grow only on bare desert ground.

Wild sites span a wide range of wet and dry conditions. Some have a very dry Mediterranean climate. Others lie where that climate shifts to moist forest. Kew classes the plant's climate as subtropical. These records tell us where wild plants grow. They do not give exact water needs for potted plants. The supplied facts for the species give no tested light needs. They give no tested soil needs, either. Nor do they give a firm frost limit or hardiness zone. These records thus offer no sound care plan for gardens.

LLIFLE says the species still grows across a wide area. Some places have many plants. Its numbers seem to be stable. In some areas, people take plants against the law. New buildings in tourist areas also pose a threat. The evidence gives no formal rating of its risk. It gives no usual garden height or spread. Most supplied facts on stems, spines, blooms, and fruit concern named varieties. They do not apply to the whole species. We cannot use them to describe every Eriosyce subgibbosa. The same holds for the supplied growth and care notes. Records for the species give no clear account of pests or disease. They give no evidence of parts to eat or use as medicine. They do not show if the plant is toxic. This evidence does not confirm its safety for people or pets.