Xerophyte

Description

L. schottii var. monstrosus 'forma mieckleyanus' is a slow-growing usually trunkless cactus that forms numerous tall, ascending, columnar stems which branch at the base in a candelabra-like arrangement. Stems have a waxy bloom on the surface and reach a height of 3-4 metres (but can grow up to 7m high) and are 10 to 12cm in diameter. This mostruos mutation has variable, irregularly shaped ribs whit sparse areoles. This form has thinner stems with less tubercles. Stems are ascending but not straight with irregular bumps, slim, lightly pruinose, and also branch just from the base and occasionally at higher levels, reverting sometimes to normal species growths. Some stems reach 6m, but they usually remain smaller (from 2 to 3m tall). The flowers are virtually unknown. The stems mark quite badly with age, due to weathering and old age.