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Pilosocereus pachycladus F.Ritter
| Family Name: | Cactaceae |
| Common Name: | Tree Cactus, Facheiro Azul |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Columnar |
| Maximum Height | 9 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Brazil |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Desert / Semi-Desert) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Desert / Arid |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large, columnar cactus up to 9 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Stems | Light blue to bluish grey, ribbed stem is lined with clusters of golden spines and may become highly branched. Mature specimens have woody tissue at the base. |
| Flowers | Large, funnel-shaped flowers are white with reddish outer tepals (petals and petal-like sepals). They are usually borne on the upper one-third of the stem. |
| Fruit | Fleshy, round fruits are reddish purple and typically lack scales or spines. |
| Etymology | The genus 'Pilosocereus' is derived from the Latin word for shaggy (pilosus) and the genus Cereus. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Stems |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Focal Plant, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Rockery / Desert Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliar Modification | Spine (axillary) |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Cauliflorous |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31852 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6252 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |