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| Cephalocereus senilis | |
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Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Cephalocereus |
| Species: | C. senilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Cephalocereus senilis | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Cephalocereus senilis, theold man cactus, is a species ofcactus native toHidalgo andVeracruz in central Mexico.[1] It is threatened in the wild, but widespread propagation and popularity in cultivation have reduced the demand on wild populations.
Cephalocereus senilis is a tall, columnar species with clusters of stems that may grow to 5–15 m tall; the individual stems are usually unbranched, being unable to withstand the weight of side branches adequately. The most striking feature is the shaggy coat of long, white hairs suggestive of unkempt hair on an old man. The coat is a particularly striking silvery white on the young cactus; as the plant ages the stem begins to lose its covering. Theflowers are red, yellow, or white, though the plant may not flower until 10–20 years old.
The hairs are modifiedspines and they make many a plant appear almost snow-white; they serve to protect the plant from frost and sun. However, the hairs are only theradial spines of the cactus; they conceal formidable sharp yellowcentral spines that belie the inoffensive appearance of the hairy covering.
Cephalocereus senilis is a very popular cactus in cultivation, grown for its woolly appearance. It prefers a very well-drainedsoil mix (more so than many other cacti), and much bright sunlight, which encourages growth of the hair.
