Baseball bat cactus

Description

Neoraimondia herzogiana (Backeb.) Buxb., is a phanerogamous species belonging to the Cactaceae family. It is endemic to Bolivia. It is a bush that grows in the form of a tree, in the shape of a candelabra, perennial and fleshy that reaches 15 m in height, with a diameter of 15 to 20 centimeters. It has 6-7 ribs and the areoles have 3 to 5 central spines and 7 to 10 radial spines of 1-2 cm. The white or pink flowers, 6 cm in diameter, are followed by edible fruits. Neoraimondia herzogiana is found in Bolivia in the departments of Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, Potosí, Santa Cruz and Tarija distributed at altitudes of 600-1900 meters above sea level. The species grows within the El Palmar Protected Area. It is also found in the "Monte Willca" Protected Area, around the Rio Chico, about 50 km from Sucre. Neoraimondia herzogiana was described by (Backeb.) Buxb. and published in Katalog der in Kultur stehenden Arten 89. 1967.