Cone Cactus or Golden Saguaro or Wax Cactus
Neobuxbaumia polylopha
Cactus family (Cactaceae)
Threatened by tourism
Totempole cacti can form true cactus forests. They can reach 12 m in height with a highly ribbed trunk and small yellowy spines. They can live up to 60 – 70 years whereupon the columnar trunk begins to branch. The genus is named after the Austrian botanist Franz Buxbaum but since a moss was already bore his name, the genus was named Neobuxbaumia; polylopha means ‘highly ribbed’.
The red flowers are borne along the columnar trunk, with their petals protruding slightly further than the spines. During the day when the flowers open, a mass of cream-white stamens can be seen. Pollination is brought about by birds, which land on the flower and search the nectar deep in the flower tube. The green fruits are edible and are consumed by birds, this way they become dispersed.
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Pollination is brought about by birds, which land on the flower and carefully search for the nectar deep within the flower tube. The green fruits are edible and are also consumed by birds, in this way they become dispersed.
The green fruits are edible.
Details
Description: | Succulent, cactus, up to 12 -15 m. |
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Distributions: | Mexico |
Habitat: | This species is found primarily in deciduous forests found in canyons with calcareous soils. |
Year cycle: | Perennial (trees and shrubs included) |
Hardiness: | 23 - 34 f (half-hardy - unheated glasshouse/mild winter) |
Flower color: | Red |