Origin and Habitat: This species is supposed to be endemic to Argentina, occurring between Tucumán and Salta. Echinopsis chamaecereusSN|16319]]SN|8692]] was collected by the botanist Carlo Spegazzini and described at the beginning of the XX century. However, the plant was never found again in the area during several expeditions on horseback by expert Roberto Kiesling, who only found in the area the widespread Echinopsis saltensisSN|8692]]SN|16319]].
Habitat and Ecology: Because the species has not been found in the wild, the type of vegetation it grows in is unknown.

• Echinopsis chamaecereus H.Friedrich & Glaetzle
• Cereus silvestrii Speg.
• Chamaecereus silvestrii (Speg.) Britton & Rose
• Lobivia silvestrii (Speg.) G.D.Rowley

• Echinopsis chamaecereus H.Friedrich & Glaetzle
• Cereus silvestrii Speg.
• Chamaecereus silvestrii (Speg.) Britton & Rose
• Lobivia silvestrii (Speg.) G.D.Rowley
• Echinopsis chamaecereus f. cristata
• Chamaecereus silvestrii f. cristatus
• Lobivia silvestrii f. cristata
• Echinopsis chamaecereus var. giganteus (Frič)
• Chamaecereus giganteus Frič

• Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. Annie
• Chamaecereus cv. Annie
• х Chamaelobivia cv. Annie
• Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. Arlequin
• Chamaecereus cv. Arlequin
• х Chamaelobivia cv. Arlequin
• Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. Boom
• Chamaecereus cv. Boom
• х Chamaelobivia cv. Boom
• Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. Cactus Art
• Chamaecereus cv. Cactus Art
• х Chamaelobivia cv. Cactus Art
• Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. Captain Jessop
• Chamaecereus cv. Captain Jessop
• х Chamaelobivia cv. Captain Jessop
• Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. Lutea
• Chamaecereus sylvestris f. aurea hort.
• Chamaecereus sylvestris f. Lutea
• х Chamaelobivia cv. Lutea
• Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. Lutea cristata
• Chamaecereus sylvestris f. aurea cristata hort.
• Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. Mephysto
• Chamaecereus cv. Mephysto
• х Chamaelobivia cv. Mephysto
• Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. Perla di Verona
• Chamaecereus cv. Perla di Verona
• х Chamaelobivia cv. Perla di Verona
• Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. Rainbow
• Chamaecereus cv. Rainbow
• х Chamaelobivia cv. Rainbow
• Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. Rot Violet
• Chamaecereus cv. Rot Violet
• х Chamaelobivia cv. Rot Violet
• Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. Violet
• Chamaecereus cv. Violet
• х Chamaelobivia cv. Violet
• Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. Westfield Alba
• Chamaecereus cv. Westfied Alba
• х Chamaelobivia cv. Westfield Alba
• Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. Wotan
• Chamaecereus cv. Wotan
• х Chamaelobivia cv. Wotan
• Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. Yellow Bird
• Chamaecereus cv. Yellow Bird
• х Chamaelobivia cv. Yellow Bird

Description: The peanuts cactus, Echinopsis chamaecereusSN|8692]]SN|8692]] (probably best known under its old name Chamaecereus silvestriiSN|8694]]SN|8694]]), is a very popular cactus with many crowded finger-like stems. Established plants can reach a height of 15 cm and width of 30 (or more) cm.
Stems: Pale green finger sized, initially erect that became prostrate up to 10 cm tall, 1.2 cm in diameter, up to 15 cm long. As cactus ages, eventually eventually become woody and spineless.
Ribs: 8 to 10.
Spines: 10 to 15 soft, white bristles, 2 mm long.
Flowers: Orange-red about 5 cm in diameter, often produced in prolific quantities from an early age.
Blooming season: In several flushes in late spring and early summer.
Remarks: Chamaelobivia hybrids: The peanut cactus is still often encountered as Chamaecereus silvestriiSN|8694]]SN|8694]], and occasionally as Lobivia silvestriiSN|8695]]SN|8695]]. This plant has been intensively hybridized with other Echinopsis(especially Lobivia ssp.). This hybrids are sometime called "Chamaelobivia" and are pretty easy to grow and easy to get to bloom and are now available in different striking flower colours. They are often thicher, stronger, larger growing than C. sylvestrii and tend not to have the typical peanut shaped offsets. The offsets produced being more strongly attached to the main stems.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures:
1) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
2) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey "The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass" Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
3) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006
4) Clive Innes, Charles Glass “Cacti” Portland House, 1991
5) John Borg “Cacti: a gardener's handbook for their identification and cultivation” Blandford P., 1970
6) RHS "A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants." United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008
7) Kiesling, R. 2013. Echinopsis chamaecereus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 13 February 2015.

Cultivation and Propagation: This is an easily grown cactus, suited to hanging baskets as well as pots. Grow in well-drained soil in a sunny spot. This Echinopsis needs a period of cool rest in winter to produce flowers abundantly. It flowers freely indoors if conditions suit it. The plant survives outside without protection in winter (cold hardy to -8° ) but somewhat prone to rot, then, too.
Needs moderate water in summer, none in winter Watch for infestations of mealybug, scale insects and spider mite.

Propagation:: Easy to propagate from offsets or seed. Small joints are produced in quantities (peanuts) These offsets can be detached and planted immediately as they root easily with no assistance when they touch the ground. Just let them lay on the soil and you have a new start.