Maihueniopsis
Maihueniopsis
Auto-generated taxonomy record for Maihueniopsis.
Child Taxa
Plants In This Group
Maihueniopsis archiconoidea
Maihueniopsis archiconoidea
Maihueniopsis archiconoidea is a highly specialized, low-growing succulent subshrub in the Cactaceae family . Well-adapted to harsh alpine desert conditions, this unique cactus forms dense, ground-hugging mounds of geometrically striking segments, highly prized by succulent connoisseurs.
Maihueniopsis atacamensis
Maihueniopsis atacamensis
Maihueniopsis atacamensis is a highly specialized cactus species belonging to the family Cactaceae, native to the high-altitude regions of the Atacama Desert and the Andes in Chile . It forms dense, dome-shaped cushions that are superbly adapted to extreme drought and freezing mountain temperatures.
Maihueniopsis camachoi
Maihueniopsis camachoi
Maihueniopsis camachoi is a highly resilient, high-altitude succulent subshrub belonging to the Cactaceae family, well-adapted to the harsh conditions of the Andes.
Maihueniopsis clavarioides
Maihueniopsis clavarioides
Maihueniopsis clavarioides is a unique and remarkable member of the cactus family (Cactaceae). Commonly known as 'club cactus' or 'finger cactus', this plant has perfectly adapted to arid and harsh environments thanks to its thick, tuberous root system that develops underground. The aerial parts of the plant typically exhibit a spherical or lobed structure, usually rising very little from the soil, offering a camouflaged appearance within its surroundings .
Maihueniopsis colorea
Maihueniopsis colorea
Maihueniopsis colorea is a low-growing, cushion-forming cactus species belonging to the Cactaceae family. Adapted to the extreme arid conditions of South America, it is renowned for its resilience and compact structure.
Maihueniopsis conoidea
Maihueniopsis conoidea
Maihueniopsis conoidea is a highly specialized, cold-hardy succulent subshrub belonging to the Cactaceae family. Renowned for its tight, cushion-forming habit, this species is adapted to thrive in some of the most arid and high-altitude regions of South America.
Maihueniopsis crassispina
Maihueniopsis crassispina
Maihueniopsis crassispina is a cushion-forming, low-growing succulent shrub in the family Cactaceae, highly adapted to the extreme arid environments of Chile. Known for its tough resilience, it represents the specialized survival strategies of the Tephrocacteae tribe.
Maihueniopsis darwinii
Maihueniopsis darwinii
Maihueniopsis darwinii is an exceptionally cold-hardy, low-growing, cushion-forming succulent subshrub in the family Cactaceae. Adapted to the harsh, wind-swept environments of Patagonia, this unique cactus is named after the famous naturalist Charles Darwin .
Maihueniopsis domeykoensis
Maihueniopsis domeykoensis
Maihueniopsis domeykoensis is a resilient succulent subshrub belonging to the Cactaceae family. Highly adapted to the extreme arid environments of the Atacama Desert, it forms dense prostrate mounds capable of surviving prolonged periods of drought .
Maihueniopsis glochidiata
Maihueniopsis glochidiata
Maihueniopsis glochidiata is a resilient succulent subshrub belonging to the Cactaceae family, uniquely adapted to thrive in highly arid and montane conditions. Forming low, spreading clumps in its natural habitat, this species displays exceptional tolerance to extreme droughts and freezing alpine temperatures alike .
Maihueniopsis glomerata
Maihueniopsis glomerata
Maihueniopsis glomerata is a remarkable, high-altitude succulent subshrub belonging to the Cactaceae family . Native to the harsh Andean highlands, it has adapted to survive extreme cold, intense solar radiation, and severe drought by forming dense, low-growing mounds or cushions composed of tightly packed, globose segments.
Maihueniopsis glomerata
Maihueniopsis glomerata
Maihueniopsis glomerata is a remarkable, high-altitude succulent subshrub belonging to the Cactaceae family . Native to the harsh Andean highlands, it has adapted to survive extreme cold, intense solar radiation, and severe drought by forming dense, low-growing mounds or cushions composed of tightly packed, globose segments.
Maihueniopsis grandiflora
Maihueniopsis grandiflora
Maihueniopsis grandiflora is a highly resilient, cushion-forming succulent subshrub belonging to the family Cactaceae. Adapted to high-altitude desert environments, it is renowned for its extreme cold hardiness and drought tolerance .
Maihueniopsis hickenii
Maihueniopsis hickenii
Maihueniopsis hickenii is a cushion-forming, low-growing succulent shrub belonging to the Cactaceae family, highly adapted to the harsh conditions of Patagonia 1. It is known for its remarkable cold tolerance and compact growth habit.
Classification and naming
The species belongs to the genus Maihueniopsis. The specific epithet \"hickenii\" honors the prominent Argentine botanist Cristóbal María Hicken. It has historically been classified under Opuntia due to its segmented growth, but phylogenetic studies place it firmly within Maihueniopsis 2.
Distribution and habitat
This species is native to southern Argentina, particularly in the Patagonian provinces of Santa Cruz, Chubut, and Río Negro 1. It thrives in arid, wind-swept gravelly plains and rocky slopes at moderate to high elevations, enduring extreme temperature fluctuations.
Appearance
It forms dense, flat cushions composed of small, egg-shaped to cylindrical segments. The segments are dull greyish-green, bearing prominent areoles with sturdy, yellowish-brown, flattened spines. In late spring or summer, it produces beautiful, bright yellow cup-shaped flowers at the branch tips.
Cultivation and care
In cultivation, Maihueniopsis hickenii requires full sun and exceptionally well-drained, mineral-rich soil 2. Given its Patagonian origin, it is extremely cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to -15°C, provided the substrate is kept entirely dry during the winter resting period. Watering should be deep but infrequent in summer.
Common cultivation mistakes
The most common pitfall is overwatering, especially during winter. A combination of cold temperatures and wet soil quickly leads to root and stem rot. Insufficient sunlight will cause weak, elongated growth.
References
Maihueniopsis leoncito
Maihueniopsis leoncito
Maihueniopsis leoncito is an extremely resilient, high-altitude Andean cactus species belonging to the family Cactaceae . Adapted to survive severe alpine conditions, this succulent subshrub forms dense, heavily-spined cushions that thrive in arid, windswept environments.
Maihueniopsis minuta
Maihueniopsis minuta
Maihueniopsis minuta is a highly compact, cushion-forming alpine cactus belonging to the family Cactaceae . Renowned for its small egg-shaped segments and extreme resilience to harsh environments, it is a prized specimen for specialized succulent collectors.
Maihueniopsis minuta
Maihueniopsis minuta
Maihueniopsis minuta is a highly compact, cushion-forming alpine cactus belonging to the family Cactaceae . Renowned for its small egg-shaped segments and extreme resilience to harsh environments, it is a prized specimen for specialized succulent collectors.
Maihueniopsis molfinoi
Maihueniopsis molfinoi
Maihueniopsis molfinoi is a cushion-forming, dwarf succulent shrub belonging to the Cactaceae family, highly specialized for surviving the harsh Andean high-altitude environments .
Maihueniopsis ovata
Maihueniopsis ovata
Maihueniopsis ovata is a highly resilient, low-growing succulent subshrub belonging to the Cactaceae family. Known for its extreme cold tolerance, it forms dense, low cushions in some of the harshest alpine environments of South America.
Maihueniopsis platyacantha
Maihueniopsis platyacantha
Maihueniopsis platyacantha is an extraordinary succulent subshrub belonging to the family Cactaceae, highly adapted to survive some of the harshest environments on Earth. Forming low, dense cushions, this high-altitude specialist is prized among cactus enthusiasts for its unique, paper-like flat spines and robust cold hardiness .
Maihueniopsis reicheana
Maihueniopsis reicheana
Maihueniopsis reicheana is a cushion-forming succulent subshrub belonging to the subfamily Opuntioideae within the cactus family (Cactaceae). Adapted to high-altitude Andean environments, this species is highly valued by specialized collectors for its extreme resilience and unique segmented structure .
Maihueniopsis wagenknechtii
Maihueniopsis wagenknechtii
Maihueniopsis wagenknechtii is a cushion-forming cactus species belonging to the family Cactaceae, highly adapted to extremely arid and windy mountain climates . It survives by forming dense, low-growing mounds.