Xerophyte

Description

Lophocereus schottiiSN|8344]]SN|8344]] (Now Pachycereus) is a slow-growing usually trunkless cactus that forms numerous tall, ascending, columnar stems which branch at the base in a candelabra-like arrangement. Stems have a waxy bloom on the surface and reach a height of 3-4 metres (but can grow up to 7m high) and are 10 to 12cm in diameter. They have five to nine widely-spaced ribs. One of the most distinguishing features is that the tips of the mature, taller stems are covered with about twenty sharp long, hairlike, grey bristles. In contrast to the long spines at the tips of mature stems, the juvenile plants have only about five short conical spines Areoles on the bottom part of the stems are woolly, oval and bears white wool. This species blooms in the apical 'hairy' part of the stems. Flowers are nocturnal, open at dusk and continue until early morning when the sun burns them out. They are 3-5 cm long, greenish white on the underside and pinkish white inside, and emit an unpleasant odour. One or several flowers are produced from each areole during most of the year, mainly from April to September. The edible fruits are as red as ripe strawberries (with a red pulp), and are seldom seen. Occasionally the ends of stems will spiral a little or dramatically in a right or left hand manner Such top cuttings are much prized by enthusiasts, fetching high prices.Lophocereus schottiiSN|8344]]SN|8344]] f. mostruosa This is a genetically stable mutation with variable, irregularly shaped ribs with raised, tubercle-like, knobby-looking swellings along the stems, and few (if any) spines or bristles. Stems are ascending, slim, lightly pruinose, and also branch just from the base and occasionally at higher levels, reverting sometimes to normal species growths. Some stems reach 6m, but they usually remain smaller (from 2 to 3m tall). The areoles are few and insignificant and flowers (rarely seen) are pink, seeds virtually unknown.In habitat and cultivated specimens, the stems mark quite badly with age, due to weathering and old age.