Haageocereus decumbens

Haageocereus decumbens is a spiny cactus. It belongs to the Cactaceae family. It grows wild in southern Peru and northern Chile. Kew lists it as a succulent shrub or subshrub. It grows in desert and dry shrubland. The RHS accepts the name Haageocereus decumbens. It lists Borzicactus decumbens as an older name. Other sources give two more names for the same plant. These are Cereus decumbens and Binghamia decumbens.

This plant stays green and lives for many years. It forms clumps with many branches. Its thin stems have a column shape. They may sprawl or grow upward. A column shape thus need not mean upright growth. Useful Tropical Plants gives a height of about 0.5 feet [0.15 metres]. This does not show its usual size in gardens. That source gives a stem width of up to 0.16 feet [0.05 metres]. The species account gives no width for a full-grown clump. It notes spines but does not give their size. It gives no details of stem colour or ribs.

In the wild, this cactus grows on coastal hills. These sites have sandy or rocky soil. Records place it between 656 and 2,297 feet [200–700 metres] above sea level. These facts show where it grows in the wild. They do not show a tested soil mix for gardens. The sources give no detailed steps for growing this species. They state no light needs or plan for watering. They give no frost limits or hardiness zones. They list seed as a way to grow new plants. They give no steps for doing so.

People gather this wild plant for local food. They eat the pulp inside the fruit. The evidence gives no taste or food prep details. It gives no flower colour or bloom season for this species. Useful Tropical Plants reports no known hazards for this species. This does not prove that all its parts are safe. Nor does it prove that it is safe for pets. The source lists no known uses as medicine or other uses. It gives no specific role in garden design.

Useful Tropical Plants reports a 2017 Least Concern assessment. It notes a broad range and fairly high numbers. That account names no major threats to the species. The evidence names no pests or diseases. It gives no evidence of how fast the plant grows. These gaps limit firm claims about care or garden results.