Trichocereus nigripilis

Leucostele nigripilis is a shrubby, dense, low-growing cactus that can reach up to 1.2 meters in height. It has cylindrical stems that slightly arch and measure 5 to 7 centimeters in diameter. The upper part of the stems features about 11 ribs that are rounded, obtuse, approximately 1 centimeter wide and high, with undulating furrows. Along these ribs, rounded areoles about 3 millimeters high and 7 millimeters wide are arranged, with brown hairs on top and gray hairs underneath. Each areole produces straight, needle-like spines. There are four prominent central spines that are black, similar in color to the subapical spines, about 2 millimeters thick, and up to 5 centimeters long. Additionally, there are up to 13 radial spines, also black, approximately 0.5 millimeters in diameter, ranging from 0.7 to 2 centimeters in length. In the basal section of the stems, there are about 10 ribs that are rounded, obtuse, approximately 1 centimeter wide and 8 millimeters high. The areoles here are rounded, about 5 millimeters high and 8 millimeters wide, with dark gray hairs. Each produces four needle-like central spines that are about 1.5 millimeters thick and up to 6 centimeters long, light gray with black tips. …

This species is found in Region III of Atacama and Region IV of Coquimbo, at elevations ranging from sea level to 700 meters.