Cereus pachanoi
Neue Kakteen 73. 1931
Family
Cactaceae
Genus
Species
Cereus pachanoi
Author
(Britton & Rose) Werderm. in Backeb.
Chinese genus
天轮柱属
Chinese name
-
Primary
Accepted
DescriptionEdit description
Description
Large, multi-stemmed fast-growing columnar cactus. Forms a small tree 3 to 6 meters tall by 1,8 m spread, with several branches, usually extending from the base.
Note
The San Pedro cactus (Echinopsis pachanoiSN|8470]]SN|8470]]) is often confused with its close relative, the Peruvian Torch cactus (Trichocereus peruvianusSN|8638]]SN|8638]]) which contains small quantities of mescaline, a hallucinogenic drug.
Flowers
Very large, white, night blooming and remaining open for the following day, fragrant, up to 22 cm in diameter. They are very showy. Inner perianth segments white, outer segments brik red, stamen filaments greenish. In this species, the flowers buds are produced from the spine clusters along the margins near the top of branches. The buds are pointed. Flowers tube, and fruits are covered with scales and black curled hairs.
Blooming Season
July.
Spines
Highly variable, often wanting, when present few (3 to 7), unequal, the longest 1 to 2 cm. long, dark yellow to light brown. Spines are located at the nodes which are spaced evenly (approximately 2 cm apart) along the ribs.
Ribs
4-8, (usually 5-7) broad at base, obtuse, rounded, with a deep horizontal depression above the areole.
Stem
Upright columnar and flexible, pale green to blue-green, slightly glaucous when young, dark green in age. Up to 6 m tall, 6-15 cm in diameter.
Fruits
Oblong, dark-green, 5-6 cm long, 3 cm in diameter.
Areoles
Whitish, close set.