Pilosocereus chrysacanthus
Scientific Name: Pilosocereus chrysacanthus (F. A. C. Weber ex K. Schum.) Byles & G. D. Rowley
Synonym: Cephalocereus chrysacanthus, Cereus chrysacanthus, Pilocereus chrysacanthus
Family: Cactaceae
Pilosocereus chrysacanthus at the Huntington Gardens in early July
USDA: 10-11
Frost Tolerance: Needs frost protection in Phoenix
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Origin: Mexico (Puebla: Tehuacan, Oaxaca: Tomellin Cañon)
Growth Habits: Tree-like, growing relatively fast up to 15 feet tall (5 m), stems are 3 inches in diameter (7.5 cm); 9 to 12 ribs; areoles 0.4 inch apart (1 cm); 12 to 15 yellowish spines, darkening with age, up to 1.6 inches long (4 cm).
Watering Needs: Keep drier in winter
Propagation: Seeds, grafting
The species name "chrysacanthus" comes from the Greek for "with golden spines". The Pilosocereus chrysacanthus has stems with 10 to 12 ribs. The areoles have golden hair, and 12 brownish spines, 0.4 to 0.8 inches long (1 to 2 cm).
An antique picture, as Cephalocereus chrysacanthus, in Britton and Rose's The Cactaceae
Blooming Habits:
The nocturnal funnel-shaped pink flowers come in a hairy area on a side of the stem top. They measure 3 inches long (7.5 cm) and 2 inches in diameter (5 cm). Their ovary is covered with hair. The purple fruit with black seeds are edible.
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