Xerophyte

Central Spines

7-10, stout, brownish to black, to 20 mm long.

Description

Haageocereus tenuisSN|5625]]SN|31691]] is a prostrate and creeping cactus densely covered by greyish spines with microscopic hairs that survives in extreme conditions in northern Peru. It grows on its side, branches splayed forlornly, its base decaying in the loose sand. The sides of the stems produce roots that store water, which is rarely available.

Flowers

Rarely and never profusely produced, nocturnal, white, funnelform, white, to 10 cm long and 4.3 cm in diameter. Pericarpels and floral tubes with long white hairs in areoles.

Ribs

12-15 with wavy margins.

Stem

Cylindrical, thin, slender, grey to bluish green, 1.5-3 cm in diameter. These stems develops adventitious roots in contact with the ground and later detach from the mother plant.

Radial Spines

About 30, white to brownish, 2-3 mm long.

Fruits

Oblong, pinkish red, to 2.5 cm long and 1.7 cm indiameter; perianth parts persistent.

Areoles

Silver-gray, close set.Spines. Minute, greyish with microscopic hairs helping in the capture of humidity from fog.