Cleistocactus acanthurus

Scientific Name: Cleistocactus acanthurus (Vaupel) D.R. Hunt
Synonym: Binghamia acanthura, Binghamia eriotricha, Borzicactus acanthurus, Borzicactus eriotrichus, Borzicactus keller-badensis, Cereus acanthurus, Cereus eriotrichus, Cleistocactus acanthurus ssp. pullatus , Haageocereus paradoxus, Loxanthocereus bicolor, Loxanthocereus canetensis, Loxanthocereus convergens, Loxanthocereus cullimannianus, Loxanthocereus eremiticus, Loxanthocereus erigens, Loxanthocereus gracilispinus, Loxanthocereus jajoianus, Loxanthocereus keller-badensis, Loxanthocereus multifloccosus, Loxanthocereus neglectus, Loxanthocereus pacaranensis, Loxanthocereus pullatus, Seticereus acanthurus, Seticereus eriotrichus
Family: Cactaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
USDA: 9-10

Frost Tolerance: Hardy in Phoenix

Sun Exposure: light shade

Origin: Peru

Growth Habits: Basally clumping, stems up to 3 feet long (90 cm), 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm) in diameter; 17 to 18 ribs; 1 to 5( up to 20) central spines, 0.4 to 1 inch (2 to 2.5 cm) long; 20( to 30) radial spines, 0.1 to 0.3 (0.3 to 0.8 cm) long;

Watering Needs: Water generously during the summer.

Propagation: Cuttings

The species name "acanthurus" comes from the Greek for "with spines".

Blooming Habits:
The column flowers blossom freely in cultivation (the picture was taken mid-April in Phoenix). The red flowers are up to 1.6 to 3.2 inches long (4 to 8 cm), 0.8 inch (2 cm) in diameter, followed by red spiny fruits 0.5 inch long (1.2 cm)