Xerophyte

Central Spines

3-5, stout awl-like up to 5 cm yellow, orange, orange-red or brown, dark tipped, protruding through the fine, woolly, hair-like radial spines.

Description

The typical Oreocereus trolliiSN|3392]]SN|3392]] (a.k.a. the Old Man of the Andes) is a s shrubby columnar cactus with fine, completely enveloping hair and powerful coloured spination.The beautiful crested form is very rare in collection and highly priced for its sculptural shape and cocoon-like covering of wool (actually radial spines that have evolved to resemble "hairs"). The crested form can get big making a spectacular specimen. Older crested plant can reach a considerable size (up to 40 cm tall and in diameter).

Flowers

Up to 4 cm long pink to violet red and semi-tubular in shape.

Blooming Season

Summer.

Ribs

Low, strongly tuberculate.

Stem

Fan-shaped 6-10 cm thick, light-green with a dense, wool which covers the stem and from which spines emerge.

Radial Spines

Oreocereus trolliiSN|3392]]SN|3392]] has 10 to 15 very fine creamy-white or greyish modified spines up to 7 cm long that look like hair or wool.

Fruits

Globose.