Eulychnia breviflora

Eulychnia breviflora is a columnar cactus species with a tree-like habit, typically growing 2 to 3 meters tall, though it may reach only 1 to 2 meters in some locations. It grows erect, sometimes appearing slightly leaning at the base, and its epidermis is grass-green or grayish-green. Abundant branching occurs from the base up to about half the plant's height, with erect branches developing shoots that are 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 3.9 in) thick. The stem features 10 to 13 blunt, toothed ribs, 8 to 15 mm (0.31 to 0.59 in) high and of similar width, separated by narrow, slightly sinuous grooves. Rounded areoles, 7 to 10 mm (0.28 to 0.39 in) in diameter, are covered in short, brownish-black felt that darkens to gray with age; young plants have lighter felt. These areoles are positioned on the upper part of the tubercles, extending to the indentations, and are spaced 1 to 1.5 cm (0.39 to 0.59 in) apart. The spines are dark brown, eventually turning gray, and are straight and needle-like, occasionally slightly curved. Even the longer central spines are sharp and lack blackening at the tip. There are 10 to 22 radial spines, typically unequal in length, ranging from a few millimeters to about 3 cm (1.2 in); they are more lateral in young plants and become more divergent and thinner with age. …

Eulychnia breviflora is native to northern Chile, extending from the western Atacama region to the northwest of the Coquimbo region, primarily along the coastal strip. It inhabits desert and dry scrub biomes from sea level to approximately 400 meters, establishing on coastal hills, slopes, or in thorny scrub on sandy soils in arid, sparsely vegetated environments. While highly tolerant of drought, its low rainfall is supplemented by frequent coastal fogs, which often form a consistent daily cloud band. This humidity can lead to lichen growth on coastal specimens. The species' range near the coast overlaps with Eulychnia acida, and natural hybridization between the two has been observed.