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When mature, the silver torch cactus produces deep red flowers extending horizontally from the main columns.

Photo credit:User:Raul654

Silver torch cactus (Cleistocactus strausii) is a succulent of family Cactaceae. It is native to high mountain regions of Bolivia and Argentina. Its slender, erect, grey-green columns can reach a height of 3 m, but are only about 6 cm across. The columns are formed from around 25 ribs and are densely covered with areoles, supporting four yellow-brown spines up to 4 cm long and 20 shorter white radials.