Xerophyte

Central Spines

Four, thin acicular, yellow-brown up to 40 mm long.

Description

It is a slender, erect, columnar group-forming cactus covered with so many silvery-white hairy spines that the green stem is almost completely hidden. It branch profusely from the base.

Note

The nice crested form is very nice and will form large silvery mounds.

Flowers

This plant is a heavy bloomer and mature cactuses, over 50 cm tall, will profusely produce deep violet-red tubular, slightly curved flowers. The blooms are 6 to 9 cm long and protrude horizontally from the stem on the sides near the tips. In common with other cacti in the genus Cleistocactus, the flowers hardly open, with only the style and stamens protruding. Floral tube with silky hairs.

Blooming Season

Late summer. Cultivated plants often flower freely.

Ribs

The "columns" are formed from around 25 ribs.

Stem

The stems are grey-green, slender columns up to 3 m tall , but only about 6 cm across.

Radial Spines

20-40 usually shorter, fine, bristly 15-50 mm long.

Fruits

Pear shaped, red, up to 2 cm in diameter.

Areoles

Closely set and densely packaged over the stems.