Xeriscape Landscaping Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment
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Cactus

Senita Cactus, Pachycereus schottii

Senita Cactus, Pachycereus schottii. Photo Taken February 17, 2006.

Senita Cactus	Pachycereus schottii

Senita Cactus Pachycereus schottii, Cactus Family ( Cactaceae ), Senita Cactus. Also called Whisker Cactus. Columnar, basally branching, slow growing up to 12 feet tall. Stems 4 to 8 inches in diameter; 5 to 10 ribs; areoles on the bottom part of the stems are woolly, oval, 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide, with one to 15 spines, 1/16 to 1/3 inch long; upper areoles 1/3 to 6/10 inch wide, 20 to 75 spines , 1 1/4 to 4 inches long. Very attractive for landscape use. It is also less frost resistant, and should be protected below 25°F The senita blooms at night at the end of the spring in the 'hairy' part of the stems. The flowers are light pink, up to 1 2/3 inches in diameter. They close around mid-morning. The Senita blooms most of the year, mainly from April to September. The edible fruit is red, with a red pulp. Height: Height to about 12 feet. Spreading to about 8 feet. Flowers: Light pink, up to 1 2/3 inches in diameter. Blooming Time: April - September. Segments: Green stems are slim, lightly pruinose with broad rounded protuberances roughly branched and poorly defined. The areoles are few and insignificant. Fruit: Red, with a red pulp. Elevation: 0 - 4800 Feet. Habitat: Sandy flats. Full Sun. A Xeriscape Landscape plant. Native to Southwest USA (Arizona), northwestern Mexico (Baja Peninsula). Miscellaneous: Photos At Glendale Xeriscape Garden. Photo Taken February 17, 2006.