Xerophyte

Habit

It is a miniature columnar cactus species that branches like a mad and will slowly form a crowded pyramidal mass of green stems to about one metre in height. Overall effect is of a "castle" shape, with literally hundreds of branches and branchlets.

Description

“Fairytale castle”, Fairy castle” or “Green finger” cactus is the evocative name by which this common succulent plant is marketed and refers to the numerous vertical stems of different heights that resemble spires and turrets. This diminutive cultivars 'Fairy Castle' was discovered in cultivation and is a very popular plant often found in the succulent part of the box retail stores. Some expert classify the cactus as a monstrous form of Acanthocereus tetragonusSN|4324]] (AcanthoCereus floridianusSN|6489]]), but the true self of this plant is controversial and some suggest that it may be a form of Cereus hildmannianusSN|28473]]SN|6489]] or even a dwarf form of Cereus hildmannianus subs. uruguayanus. Whichever scientific name is correct, the plant is a delightful cactus.

Flowers

The fairy castle cactus rarely blooms.

Spines

Few, bristle-like, short, creamy-white.

Stem

The main stem is five sided, with short spines along the ribs, and offsets profusely to form smaller upright branches which, in turn, offset profusely with smaller finger-like offsets.

Areoles

Conspicuous, white and woolly.