Origin and Habitat: Austrocylindropuntia vestita occurs in Argentina in Jujuy and Salta, and in Bolivia in Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, La Paz, Potosi and Tarija.

Altitude range: 2,400 and 3,600 metres above sea level.

Description: Austrocylindropuntia vestita is usually a slender columnar white and very furry cactus from high altitude. The standard plants form branch both basally and near the top of the stems.

Derivation of specific name. The species name “vestita” refers to the plants’ vestments, its clothing of white hairs that turns into dens colonies what appears to be patches of snow remembering the high mountain peaks that surround – on all sides.

Source: The Encyclopedia of Cacti

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Cycadophyta
class: Magnoliopsida
File: Caryophyllales

Familia: Cactaceae
Subfamilia: Opuntioideae
Tribus: Austrocylindropuntieae
Genus: Austrocylindropuntia
Species: Austrocylindropuntia vestita

                         – Wikispecies