Old Man Cactus Facts
The old man cactus plant, Cephalocereus senilis, is also known by names such as the Old Man of Mexico, bunny cactus, white Persian cat cactus, and viejo, meaning old in Spanish. This ornamental plant is endangered in its native habitat. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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The old man cactus grows to be 40 feet tall in the wild but rarely reaches 10 feet in a cultivated setting, according to Jonathan Watt from the Cactus and Succulent Society of America. It rarely forms branches. The straight, column-like body is covered with a thick layer of shaggy, grayish-white hair.
Geography
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Cephalocereus senilis is native to the eastern regions of the state of Hidalgo in Mexico. Wild populations of the old man cactus plant are considered rare or vulnerable. However, the United States Botanic Garden indicates that the availability of the cactus through commercial nurseries has reduced the demand for wild Cephalocereus senilis.
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Fun Fact
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The United States Botanic Garden says that the grayish-white hairs covering the cactus are designed to protect it from the harsh sunlight of its native Mexican habitat. The Desert Tropicals website adds that the hair can be washed with a diluted shampoo to keep it white.
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