Echinopsis walteri
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Echinopsis walteri faces severe population decline due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in its restricted range in northwestern Argentina. Mining activities and livestock grazing have further degraded the specialized rocky habitats this cactus requires. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with entire subpopulations at risk from single disturbance events.
Habitat
Echinopsis walteri inhabits rocky slopes and cliff faces in the dry montane regions of northwestern Argentina, typically growing in crevices and on steep terrain between 1,000-2,500 meters elevation. The species requires well-drained, mineral-rich soils and is adapted to the semi-arid climate with distinct wet and dry seasons characteristic of the region.
