Scientific Name
Pachycereus schottii f. monstrosus (H.E.Gates) P.V.Heath
Accepted Scientific Name
Pachycereus schottii (Engelm.) D.R.Hunt
Common Names
Totem Pole Cactus, Totem Pole, Totem Cactus, Monstrous Whisker Cactus
Synonyms
Lophocereus schottii f. monstrosus
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Pachycereeae
Genus: Pachycereus
Description
Pachycereus schottii f. monstrosus, formerly known as Lophocereus schottii f. monstrosus, is a slow-growing columnar cactus with smooth-skinned stems that branch at the base to form a short trunk. It grows 12 feet (3.6 m) tall. Stems are green, with no visible spines and small bumps or areoles along the entire length, giving it the illusion of having multiple faces carved into the plant. Flowers are light pink, appear in late spring, open at dusk, and close up by mid-morning. Edible fruits are egg-shaped, red with red pulp.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9a to 10a: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 35 °F (+1.7 °C).
How to Grow and Care
These extraordinarily low-maintenance plants can grow untouched for decades, so there's really not a lot you need to worry about. However, it's very important that they receive adequate sun and heat and be careful around their spines. If grown in containers, make sure that they're being repotted and that their soil isn't too moist. Other than that, these plants are about as simple and hands-off as it gets.
Inapplicable to most scenarios in which Pachycereus would be grown. If you do choose to cultivate a small specimen of Pachycereus pringlei in a container, repotting it can be helpful: if so, repot it as you would any other cactus by removing it from the pot, cutting away any dead material from the roots, and replanting.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Pachycereus.
Origin
This succulent is a monstrose form of Pachycereus schottii.
Links
- Back to genus Pachycereus
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
