Oreocereus celsianus
| Oreocereus celsianus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Genus: | Oreocereus |
| Species: | O. celsianus |
| Binomial name | |
| Oreocereus celsianus (Salm-Dyck) A.Berger ex Riccob. | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Oreocereus celsianus, or the "old man of the mountain" is a member of the family Cactaceae native to the high lands of the Andes in South America, and is named for its fluffy white hair, which may protect it from intense sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Distribution
Oreocereus celsianus occurs naturally at high altitudes across Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.
Description
Growing to around 3 metres (10 ft) tall, O. celsianus is covered in a downy white hair, with greatest density at the tips of stems receding to near-bare at the base. The ribbed body has many long, brown spines and blooms in spring with long, tubular red flowers.
Ecology
Pollinated by hummingbirds in spring.
Cultivation
Thrives at 10–12 °C (50–54 °F), with a frost-tolerance of down to −12 °C (10 °F) and requiring protection from hot sunlight. Prefers full sun and light watering. Propagates from seed.
