Xerophyte

Central Spines

4 much thicker, longer, and usually darker yellow to tan coloured, straight except for the uppermost one, which may reach 5 cm of length, flat, and often annulate, terete, porrect or curved backward.

Description

Stenocactus albatusSN|6188]]SN|6188]] is a well-known in horticulture cactus species, that distinguishes from the type species for the denser and thinner white/yellow spines and yellowish flowers. The crested form Stenocactus albatusSN|6188]]SN|6188]] f. cristatus is rare and sought after by collectors, for its dense white spine covering.

Flowers

Small funnel-shaped 2 cm long with light yellow (or whitish), lanceolate perianth segments.

Ribs

Slender with sharp, flat, undulating, depressed at 1,5 cm intervals where areoles appear.

Stem

Fan shaped, up to 5 cm thick, with pale green epidermis and white-woolly apex covered with spines.

Radial Spines

About 10 to 25 bristle-like, silky, whitish to cream-coloured almost transparent, 1 cm long, and partially erect, from one to three may be missing from upper areoles.