How to identify Old man cactus (Cephalocereus senilis)
Old man cactus, also known as Old man of Mexico
A unique columnar cactus, old man cactus boasts a distinctive presence with its dense, frosty-white hairy spines radiating around each stem, giving a soft, aged appearance. These spines are prominent on young plants but may partially shed with age. Usually forming tall clusters, it can reach impressive heights of 16 to 50 feet (5 to 15 meters). Hidden beneath the silvery hair are longer, sharper yellow spines. While mature plants might eventually bloom with nocturnal flowers, this spectacle happens rarely, potentially taking decades.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Succulent, Shrub
Leaf Type: Evergreen
Dense, frosty-white hairy spines give old man cactus a soft, aged appearance.
Stems can reach impressive heights of 16 to 50 feet (5 to 15 meters).
Nocturnal flowers are solitary, funnel-shaped, and measure 2 to 3 1/2 inches (5 to 9 cm) long.
Fruits exhibit a smooth, obovoid shape with a subtle color palette.
Stems are cylindrical, unbranched, and covered with fine, white hair-like spines.
Old man cactus flowers are nocturnal and appear only after the plant reaches 10 to 20 years old. They are solitary, funnel-shaped, and measure 2 to 3 1/2 inches (5 to 9 cm) long and 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter. The flowers exhibit colors ranging from yellowish-pink to rose. These distinctive features make them particularly notable, adding to their unique charm.
The stem of old man cactus is cylindrical and columnar, with a height ranging from 20 to 50 feet (6 to 15 meters). It has a light to bright green color when young, turning gray as it matures. The surface is covered with fine, white hair-like spines giving it a distinctive appearance. The stems are typically unbranched and can sometimes develop branches from the base. The tops of the stems are rounded, and they may thicken to about 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter.
The fruit of old man cactus is typically obovoid in shape. These fruits are rare to form, especially in houseplant conditions, and they generally appear 3-4 weeks post-flowering. The obovoid form means they are egg-shaped but with the narrower end at the base. Characteristics such as color and texture are not specified but are essential for identification when observed in a natural habitat or under optimal conditions.
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Scientific Classification of Old man cactus
