Old man cactus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old man cactus |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Cephalocereus
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| Species: |
senilis
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Cephalocereus senilis, also known as the old man cactus, is a special type of cactus. It grows naturally in the states of Hidalgo and Veracruz in central Mexico. This cactus is currently considered endangered in the wild. However, many people grow it in their homes and gardens. This helps protect the wild plants because fewer people need to take them from their natural habitat.
What it Looks Like
The old man cactus is a tall plant with a column shape. It often grows in groups of stems that can reach 5 to 15 meters (about 16 to 49 feet) high. Each stem usually grows straight up without branches. This is because the stems are not strong enough to hold the weight of side branches.
The most interesting thing about this cactus is its shaggy coat. It has long, white hairs that look like the messy hair of an old man. When the cactus is young, this coat is a bright, silvery white. As the plant gets older, its stem starts to lose some of this hairy covering.
The flowers of the old man cactus can be red, yellow, or white. However, this cactus takes a long time to bloom. It might not produce flowers until it is 10 to 20 years old!
How its Hairy Coat Works
The white hairs on the old man cactus are actually special spines. They make many of these plants look almost snow-white. These hairs help protect the cactus from both cold frost and strong sunlight.
But don't let the soft, hairy look fool you! These hairs are only the outer, softer radial spines of the cactus. Hidden underneath them are very sharp, yellow central spines. These sharp spines show that the cactus is not as harmless as its fuzzy coat might make it seem.
Growing the Old Man Cactus
The old man cactus is very popular to grow. People love its unique woolly look. If you want to grow one, it needs a special kind of soil. It prefers soil that drains water very well, even more so than many other cacti. It also needs a lot of bright sunlight. Plenty of sun helps its famous white hairs grow long and thick.
See also
In Spanish: Cephalocereus senilis para niños
