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Cephalocereus senilis, the old man cactus, is a species of cactus native to Hidalgo and Veracruz in central Mexico.[1] It is threatened in the wild, but widespread propagation and popularity in cultivation have reduced the demand on wild populations.

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Cephalocereus senilis
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
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 (Haw.) Pfeiff.[2]
Synonyms[2]
Cactus bradypus Lehm. Cactus senilis Haw. Cephalophorus senilis (Haw.) Lem. Cereus bradypus (Lehm.) Steud. Euporteria senilis (Haw.) Kreuz. & Buining Melocactus bradypus Lehm. ex Steud. Pilocereus senilis (Haw.) Lem.

Description

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. The flowers are red, yellow, or white, though the plant may not flower until 10–20 years old.

Morphology and function of the coat

The hairs are modified spines 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 the radial spines of the cactus; they conceal formidable sharp yellow central spines that belie the inoffensive appearance of the hairy covering.

Cultivation

Cephalocereus senilis is a very popular cactus in cultivation, grown for its woolly appearance. It prefers a very well-drained soil mix (more so than many other cacti), and much bright sunlight, which encourages growth of the hair.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cephalocereus senilis.

• Mauseth Research on Cacti
• Guanajuato Botanic Garden
• United States Botanic Garden: Cephalocereus senilis
• (in English) photos on www.cactiguide.com

На других языках

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- [en] Cephalocereus senilis

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[ru] Cephalocereus senilis

Cephalocereus senilis (лат.) — кактус, вид рода цефалоцереус (Cephalocereus) семейства Кактусовые (Cactaceae) трибы Пахицереусовые[3], произрастающий в восточной части Мексики в штатах Гуанахуато и Идальго.

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