Old man cactus (Cephalocereus senilis)
Also known as: Old man of Mexico
Old man cactus (Cephalocereus senilis) is a cactus native to eastern Mexico. Old man cactus is widely cultivated in gardens and as a houseplant, resulting in dwindling numbers of old man cactus that grow in the wild. This species is popular due to its woolly appearance. Old man cactus grows best in well-drained soil and bright sunlight, which cause the hairlike fibers to grow.
In This Article
Attributes of Old man cactus
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Succulent, Shrub
Plant Height
5 m to 15 m
Spread
15 cm to 30 cm
Leaf Color
Yellow White
Flower Size
5 cm to 8 cm
Flower Color
Pink Yellow
Images of Old man cactus
Quickly Identify Old man cactus
1
Dense, frosty-white hairy spines give old man cactus a soft, aged appearance.
2
Stems can reach impressive heights of 16 to 50 feet (5 to 15 meters).
3
Nocturnal flowers are solitary, funnel-shaped, and measure 2 to 3 1/2 inches (5 to 9 cm) long.
4
Fruits exhibit a smooth, obovoid shape with a subtle color palette.
5
Stems are cylindrical, unbranched, and covered with fine, white hair-like spines.
Scientific Classification of Old man cactus
Phylum
Vascular plants
Class
Dicotyledons
Order
Caryophyllales
Family
Cactuses
Genus
Cephalocereus
Species
Old man cactus
