Espostoa melanostele
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Subfamily:	Cactoideae
Genus:	Espostoa
Species:	E. melanostele
Binomial name
Espostoa melanostele (Vaupel) Borg

Espostoa melanostele is a species of rare,^[1] endangered, long-lived, slow-growing plant in the family Cactaceae.

Horticultural collection and the fact that the plant is slow growing contribute to the fact that the plant is endangered.

This xerophyte is tolerant of most droughts when mature.

• Espostoa melanostele subsp. melanostele
• Espostoa melanostele subsp. nana (F.Ritter) G.J.Charles synonym Espostoa nana F.Ritter

The plant is not only used for its fruit, but also grown for decorative qualities, such as its yellow flowers and its white ''fleece''.

A cultivar, E. melanostele 'Peruvian old lady', is so-named because of its resemblance to an old lady (especially when flowering and fruiting).

The spines may be considered a hazard to children, but actually come off the skin very easily with proper handling.

• CX Furtado, (1964). Concerning the types of genera, Taxon.