• Photo of Cephalocereus senilis (Cephalocereus seniliss)

Plant Profile: Cephalocereus senilis

Taxonomy: Cephalocereus senilis

Names

Old Man Cactus

  • Photo of Cephalocereus senilis (Cephalocereus seniliss)

Phonetic Spelling:sef-uh-low-SAIR-ee-us SEE-nil-is

Genus:Cephalocereus

Species:senilis

Family:Cactaceae

Old Man Cactus is a tall, columnar succulent belonging to the cactus family, characterized by spines that resemble delicate white hairs, giving it the appearance of an elderly man. While it originates from Mexico, this plant is increasingly difficult to locate in its natural environment. Nevertheless, it has gained popularity as a houseplant.

Cephalocereus senilis Feature Summary

Cephalocereus senilis Image Gallery

Tags

#houseplant
#interiorscape
#cactus
#spiny
#non-toxic for horses
#non-toxic for dogs
#non-toxic for cats

Similar Plants

Cephalocereus senilis Feature Summary

Whole Plant Traits
Houseplant
Succulent
Columnar

Cephalocereus senilis Attributes

Cephalocereus senilis: Country Or Region Of Origin

Mexico

Cephalocereus senilis: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Cephalocereus senilis Whole Plant Traits

Cephalocereus senilis: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Cephalocereus senilis: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Cephalocereus senilis: Appendage

Prickles
Spines
Tendrils
Thorns

Cephalocereus senilis Leaves

Cephalocereus senilis: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Cephalocereus senilis Stem

Cephalocereus senilis: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes