Common Name: Maihuén

General Information

Maihuenia poeppigii is a spiny, succulent, evergreen, low-growing cactus with small, persistent leaves and a fleshy taproot 40 - 80cm long. The plant can form a mat of growth up to 10cm high and 200cm wide[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is often cultivated as an ornamental, being one of the few cactus species that can withstand standing snow for several months of the year[].
Maihuenia poeppigii is widespread, locally abundant, and in the majority of its range there are no threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - southern Argentina to central Chile

Habitat

Araucaria forest in relatively humid zones in the border of subantarctic regions, often in volcanic soils; at elevations from near sea level to 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.10 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Maihuenia poeppigii is one of the most cold-tolerant species in the family Cactaceae, and is known to tolerate temperatures falling as low as -15°c, perhaps even down to -20°c. It grows in the temperate zome of Chile and southern Argentina, with its range including mountainous areas that can be covered by snow for several months of the winter. It is found in humid areas of Chile, where it can rain at almost any part of the year, as well as in drier regions where there is a dry period of 3 - 5 months. Rainfall is concentrated in the winter months, with a mean annual precipitation in the range 400 - 800mm[[].
An easy plant to grow, it requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil[].
A relatively fast-growing plant, it can begin fruiting in just a few years from seed[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. The obovate to club shaped fruits are around 5 - 6cm long[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - requires a period of cold stratification[].