Scientific Name
Cereus aethiops Haw.
Synonym(s)
Cereus azureus, Cereus chalibaeus, Cereus landbeckii, Cereus seidelii, Echinocactus dumelianus, Piptanthocereus aethiops
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cereeae
Genus: Cereus
Description
Cereus aethiops is a shrubby cactus with erect, sometimes prostrate stems with 5 to 8 ribs lined with clusters of spines. It is usually much-branched from the base. The stems are dark blue-green to purplish and can grow up to 6.6 feet (2 m) long and 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter. The young stems are blue with a waxy coating. Each areole bears 1 to 4 central and 7 to 12 radial spines. The radial spines are grey with dark tips or black, measuring up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) long, while the central spines are black, stouter than the radial, measuring up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long.
The night-blooming flowers are fragrant white to pale pink, funnel-shaped, and can reach up to 8 inches (20 cm) in length and 5 inches (12.5 cm) in diameter.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Like most cacti, Cereus are pretty low-maintenance and hardy. Ensure they receive enough water without becoming waterlogged, especially during the summer, and fertilize them for the best results. If the roots have become black or overly soft, the cactus could be experiencing root rot. Cut away the affected parts and replant. Most gardeners interested in cacti should be able to cultivate these without much problem.
It may become necessary to repot your Cereus if it outgrows its container. If so, ensure the soil is dry and then remove the pot. Knock away old soil, prune out rotted or dead roots, then replace it in a new pot and backfill it with fresh soil. Ensure not to overwater cacti planted in new pots, as this can lead to root rot. It should be left dry for about a week and then watered lightly.
These cacti propagate pretty easily from cuttings. Simply sever a branch and replant in moist, well-drained soil.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Cereus.
Origin
Cereus aethiops is native to Brazil.
Links
- Back to genus Cereus
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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