Old-man-cactus
Cephalocereus senilis
Cactus family (Cactaceae)
Loved by the enthousiasts
The slim, columnar Old Man cactus can reach 15 m in length. They often grow in groups. The long whitish grey ‘hair’ is characteristic and is especially dense in young plants. The hairs are modified spines, which in turn were once the leaves. The hair protects the cactus from both the sun and the cold, since it can freeze in the desert at night. The hairs of Cephalocereus senilis are used to make clothing, and on a small scale appear as a cheap alternative to cotton. The Old Man cactus also has ordinary spines that protect it from predators such as goats and other grazers.
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The hairs of Cephalocereus senilis are sometimes used for clothing items, it can be used as a cheap alternative for cotton on a small-scale. This cactus is one of the most commonly used succulent species for ornamental purposes. It is frequently removed from the wild and cultivated.
During flowering and fruiting, the Mexican rosefinch is a regular visitor to this cactus.
Details
Description: | Succulent, cactus up to 15 m, with a shaggy coat of long, white hairs resembling the unkempt hair on an old man, as the cactus ages the stem begins to lose this hairy covering. |
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Distributions: | Mexico |
Habitat: | In calcareous canyons with xerophytic vegetation. |
Year cycle: | Perennial (trees and shrubs included) |
Hardiness: | 14 - 23 f (hardy - average winter) |
Flowering period: | April |
Flower color: | Red, yellow, white |
Notes on flowers: | Cephalocereus senilis does not flower until its 10-20 years old; flowers are produced from the cephalium along one side of the stem, near the apex. |
Fruiting period: | Juli - september |
At its best: | April |