====== Trichocereus bridgesii — Identification ======

**T. bridgesii** (Bolivian Torch, Achuma / Wachuma) is a slender, fewer-ribbed columnar species from Bolivia, famous in cultivation for its striking **monstrose (TBM)** and **crested** forms.

===== At a glance =====
^ Feature ^ T. bridgesii ^
| Ribs | typically 4–8 (often 4–6) — usually fewer than pachanoi |
| Spines | variable, often longer and needle-like; honey to brown |
| Epidermis | light-to-mid green, sometimes glaucous |
| Areoles | widely spaced |
| Habit | erect, columnar, can look elongated/segmented; base-branching |
| Native | Bolivia |

===== Key identifying features =====
The combination of a **low rib count** with **widely-spaced areoles** and often **longer needle spines** separates most bridgesii from pachanoi/peruvianus. The **monstrose (TBM)** and **crested (cristate)** cultivars — lumpy, disorganised growth — are unmistakable and hugely popular.

===== Commonly confused with =====
  * **T. peruvianus** — usually more ribs and heavier, and a bluer cast.
  * **T. pachanoi** — more ribs, closer areoles, shorter spines.

===== Examples from our archive =====
//Community-submitted clones identified as T. bridgesii. Click a clone for its full page.//

**BBB bridgesii**
{{clones:b:media:bbb_bridgesii:425baa3d1ae1f372.jpg?260}} {{clones:b:media:bbb_bridgesii:819ab1d7c29fb347.jpg?260}} {{clones:b:media:bbb_bridgesii:afdf29dd3c09886c.jpg?260}}

**Dave Reynolds Bridgesii** — [[clones:d:dave_reynolds_bridgesii|full page]]
{{clones:d:media:dave_reynolds_bridgesii:6c03a1b913d6591c.jpg?260}} {{clones:d:media:dave_reynolds_bridgesii:887b3daa84fa2a38.jpg?260}} {{clones:d:media:dave_reynolds_bridgesii:8ecafa0a347db87d.jpg?260}}

**Cove bridgesii**
{{clones:c:media:cove_bridgesii:0da27783ebbaa6c1.jpg?260}} {{clones:c:media:cove_bridgesii:2172ad25323f2ee0.jpg?260}} {{clones:c:media:cove_bridgesii:576a3de1e47d34d1.jpg?260}}

**Kumeyaay Bridgesii** — [[clones:k:kumeyaay_bridgesii|full page]]
{{clones:k:media:kumeyaay_bridgesii:392f6c531a52dd20.jpg?260}} {{clones:k:media:kumeyaay_bridgesii:a41ad3d8467a0c65.jpg?260}} {{clones:k:media:kumeyaay_bridgesii:bb4e3f299850bd12.jpg?260}}

**Trichocereus bridgesii Con** — [[clones:t:trichocereus_bridgesii_con|full page]]
{{clones:t:media:trichocereus_bridgesii_con:0f6aee099b9f9b92.jpg?260}} {{clones:t:media:trichocereus_bridgesii_con:4b3cc898cedd22e9.jpg?260}} {{clones:t:media:trichocereus_bridgesii_con:8284ea61866f6efe.jpg?260}}

**Walt's Melty Bridgesii**
{{clones:w:media:walt_s_melty_bridgesii:0d8628adfeca2c0e.jpg?260}} {{clones:w:media:walt_s_melty_bridgesii:646557a89d98e7ff.jpg?260}}

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//Part of the [[species:start|Trichocereus Species & ID Guide]]. This is a horticultural ID reference, **not** definitive taxonomy — Trichocereus species intergrade and their classification is debated. Example photos are community-submitted clones from our archive; click a clone for its page.//