Maihuenia poeppigii

Maihuenia poeppigii is a cactus in the Cactaceae family. It stays green all year. Its native range spans south-central Chile and Neuquén, Argentina. It grows on volcanic ground and high, flat, stony land. It also grows in sparse grassland and among Araucaria forests below the tree line. Some sites are very dry, while others have more moisture. Snow covers plants on their native hills in winter. LLIFLE says it grows across a wide range, with many plants in some places.

This succulent grows slowly and forms low mats with many short branches. Most plants stand about 0.3–0.5 feet [0.10–0.15 metres] tall. RHS gives a broader garden height range, up to 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. Its listed garden spread also reaches 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. LLIFLE reports much wider mats, reaching 6.6 feet [2 metres]. A mat may hold hundreds of stem segments. The stems may be oval, club-shaped, or shaped like tubes. They branch near their tips, with spines down to their bases.

Small, dark green leaves crowd the branch ends. These narrow, fleshy leaves look like short needles. They stay on the plant through winter. Small white spots called areoles bear stiff spines. Each may have one longer spine in the centre. It may also have two short side spines. Some areoles lack one or both side spines. Unlike Opuntia, this cactus has no glochids, the tiny bristles. Its fleshy taproots can reach 2.6 feet [0.8 metres] long. Large, lemon-yellow flowers open at the stem tips. The flowers form funnels, and their petals have a soft sheen. LLIFLE gives late spring as the bloom time. RHS records blooms in summer. The edible fruits are long, oval to club-shaped. They measure about 0.16–0.20 feet [0.05–0.06 metres] long.

Give this cactus full sun and soil that drains well. RHS lists both sand and loam as suitable soils. The soil can be acid, neutral, or alkaline. Keep plants safe from winter rain. The sources give quite different views on how much cold it withstands. LLIFLE reports that it resists hard frost in its native home. RHS assigns H2 for UK conditions; this does not show frost hardiness. RHS lists two to five years to reach mature size.

RHS suggests rock gardens and planting that needs little care. Its low mat stays green close to the ground. It needs no pruning. Gardeners can grow it from seed or stem cuttings. RHS reports few usual pest or disease problems. LLIFLE confirms that people can eat the fruit. The supplied sources do not show whether other parts are toxic. They do not show whether this plant is safe for pets.