This species, L chiloensis, is tree-like with branching structures, straight, vigorous and up to 8 meters long.

The glochids have bright yellow spines that later turn gray.

[4] Leucostele chiloensis is found from the north to the south of central Chile, where it grows in coastal areas as well as in valleys and foothills of the Andes at elevations up to 1800 meters.

The species was first described as Cactus chiloensis and published in 1826 by Luigi Colla.

After several recombinations, Heimo Friedrich and Gordon Douglas Rowley placed it in the genus Echinopsis in 1974.