Maihuenia poeppigii

Maihuenia poeppigii, also known as maihuén or hierba del guanaco in Chile, is a succulent cactus shrub that is native to Chile and Argentina. It is a hardy plant that is well adapted to cold and windy alpine habitats, forming large mats of cylindrical stems with small, succulent leaves and white spines. Despite being originally described as an Opuntia, it lacks glochids and displays distinct differences in seed and other microscopic features. M. poeppigii typically reaches 10-15(-20) cm in height, but can grow up to 2 meters in diameter. The flowers of this plant are highly noticeable, large, satiny, and lemon-yellow in color. This species was named after Eduard Pöppig, a 19th-century German naturalist who explored South America. M. poeppigii is highly tolerant of moisture and cold temperatures, making it a remarkable survivor in its native environment.