Xerophyte

Habit

It is a columnar succulent with upright stems which normally do not branch, but over time new stems arise from the base to form a clump.

Central Spines

Principal central spines one, sometimes up to 3, downward pointing, very stout 2-4 cm long

Flowers

Greenish white 6-8 cm long, 5-6 cm wide. Tube flared in upper half, greenish and covered by abundant white trichomes. Perianth-segments white or pale pink.

Blooming Season

Early summer.

Spines

Very coarse, continuing to grow on the trunk throughout the life of the cactus, yellow at first, then turning progressively to an almost black colouration.

Ribs

12-14 somewhat tuberculate near the stem tips.Areoles Closely set, yellow to dark brown with yellowish woolly hairs. Flowering areoles well differentiated, woolly, white, generally disposed in ring-like pseudo- cephalia

Stem

Green erect or curving or upright, to 1-2(-3) m tall, 7-10 cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

20-30(-40), in 2-3 series, the outermost about 1 cm long.

Fruits

Round, green.