Xerophyte

Trunk

Up to 60 cm in diameter or larger, covered by a very thin, relatively smooth bark and reddish-brown.

Central Spines

1-6, 32-60 mm long.

Description

Pilosocereus royeniiSN|4681]]SN|4681]] is an attractive blue-stemmed, tree-like cactus species. It is relatively large sized with tufts of whitish hairs near the branch ends, elongated flowers, and red-purple fruits. It is quite variable and has had at least 30 scientific synonyms.

Roots

The root system is broad and near the surface to rapidly a absorb water from even the lightest rains.

Branches

Mostly vertical or sometimes ascending, stout, blue-green, (5-)7-9(-10) cm in diameter arising 30-60 above ground from a single trunk. Branches may branch again, and those yet again. The thick green skin on the branches carries out photosynthesis. Older basal parts of the branches often form a thick bark.

Cephalium

As Pilosocereus cacti age, they produce what is called a 'pseudocephalium', but in Pilosocereus royeniiSN|4681]]SN|4681]] the fertile portion is not well differentiated from normal vegetative parts. Flower-bearing areoles subapical and lateral, on one to three ribs, with long white hairs.

Flowers

Fleshy, whitish-green, rose pink or purple-red, to 5 cm long, 2,5-4 cm in diameter. They extend horizontallv out from the branches and open at night, but last into the next day.

Spines

Variable, white-grey, yellowish to reddish.

Ribs

6-11 vertical.

Fruits

Depressed globose, pulp white or red. Fruits are edible, juicy and sweet and contain many tiny black seeds. Fruits do not have spines. They are usually found year-round.

Habit

Plants treelike, branching basally or above the ground, 2-8 m high, often with well-defined trunks. A 5 metres tall individual may be over 100 years old.

Blooming Season

Flowers are found year-round when rainfall is adequate .

Radial Spines

About 9, 19-26 mm long