Maihueniopsis camachoi
(Espinosa) F.Ritter
Cactaceae
Opuntia camachoi Espinosa
Tephrocactus camachoi (Espinosa) Backeb.
Common Name:
General Information
Maihueniopsis camachoi is a spiny, succulent, low-growing cactus that branches freely to form large, dense cushions of growth. Stems are segmented, with individual stem segments ovoid, around 4cm long and sharply pointed[
1915- Title
- Ethnobotany of the Andes
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Switzerland
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-28932-4
- Description
-
,
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and a mordant.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
Range
S. America - northern Chile
Habitat
; at elevations from 3,600 - 3,900 metres[
1915- Title
- Ethnobotany of the Andes
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Switzerland
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-28932-4
- Description
-
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Perennial |
| Height | 0.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw[
1915- Title
- Ethnobotany of the Andes
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Switzerland
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-28932-4
- Description
-
]. An acid flavour, it is often consumed with sugar[
1915- Title
- Ethnobotany of the Andes
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Switzerland
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-28932-4
- Description
-
]. The fruit, boiled with water, is used to make a juice[
1915- Title
- Ethnobotany of the Andes
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Switzerland
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-28932-4
- Description
-
]. The light yellow, mucilaginous fruits are conical in shape and free of thorns[
1915- Title
- Ethnobotany of the Andes
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Switzerland
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-28932-4
- Description
-
].
Medicinal
An infusion of the fresh fruit, mixed with wailawén (Haplopapus rigidus) is used as a treatment for colds, fevers, coughs and constipation[
1915- Title
- Ethnobotany of the Andes
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Switzerland
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-28932-4
- Description
-
].
The juice of the pulp, mixed with water, is used for the treatment of affections to the bladder and liver; it relieves fevers, and is used as a gargle to treat sore throast.
Used externally, the fruit pulp is used to help heal wounds and to combat eye diseases[
1915- Title
- Ethnobotany of the Andes
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Switzerland
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-28932-4
- Description
-
].
The flowers are used as a treatment against cancer[
1915- Title
- Ethnobotany of the Andes
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Switzerland
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-28932-4
- Description
-
].
The juice (this probably refers to the fruit[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]) is used to treat Puna disease (a condition caused by low oxygen pressure at high elevations, and characterized by symptoms such as nausea, headache, dyspnea, generalmalaise, and insomnia)[
1915- Title
- Ethnobotany of the Andes
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Switzerland
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-28932-4
- Description
-
].
Other Uses
The fruit is used as a mordant in the wool dyeing process[
1915- Title
- Ethnobotany of the Andes
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Switzerland
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
- 978-3-030-28932-4
- Description
-
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
