Wooly torch - Cleistocactus strausii

Another ornamental cactus, seen several times in Lanzarote. The special flowering called my attention.

comments (4)

Christine Young

Lion

So neat! Those flowers really stick out. I read that the flowers never fully open and that they are only pollinated by hummingbirds! Posted 5 years ago
1. Patomarazul
  
  Lion
  
  Oh boy, then they may not have a chance to spread in the Canary Islands, as there are no hummingbirds there..anyway, they are ornamentals so it makes sense that they stay where they are :-) Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Oh, interesting! Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Patomarazul
      
      Lion
      
      Well, I meant in the Canaries they are introduced as ornamentals but of course, in their natural habitat they may spread thanks to pollinators like the hummingbirds :-) Posted 5 years ago

The Silver torch

''Cleistocactus strausii'', commonly known as the silver torch or wooly torch, is a perennial cactus of the family Cactaceae. It is native to high mountain regions of Bolivia and Argentina, above 3,000 m.

Its slender, erect, grey-green columns can reach a height of 3 m , but are only about 6 cm across. The columns are formed from around 25 ribs and are densely covered with areoles, supporting four yellow-brown spines up to 4 cm long and 20 shorter white radials.

The cactus.. more

Info 1 0

Similar species: Pinks, Cactuses, And Allies

Species identified by Patomarazul

By Patomarazul

Uploaded Dec 29, 2019. Captured Apr 29, 2019 11:25 in Calle Doramas, 2, 35510 Tías, Las Palmas, Spain.

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SP-820UZ
f/5.0
10/3200s
ISO80
23.3mm