Neobuxbaumia polylopha (Cone Cactus, Wax Cactus, Golden-Spined Saguaro, Golden Saguaro.)
Botanical Information
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Genus | Neobuxbaumia |
| Species | polylopha |
| Synonyms | Pilocereus polylopha, Cephalocereus polylopha, Carnegiea polylopha, Cereus polylophus. |
| Category | Tropicals |
| Origin | Native to Mexico and found almost exclusively in the states of Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Querétaro and San Luis PotosÃ. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 9b-11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cool season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H1c-H3 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -6.7-10 |
| Temperature (°F) | 20-50 |
| Height | 10-15 m |
| Flowering Period | June, July, August |
Description and Growing Information
| Shape | Grows in tall, solitary columns. |
| Propagation | Propagated from seed; sown after last frost. |
| Cultivation | Tolerant to cold weather but not frost. They need a well drained soil mix, abundant water during the summer, light shade when young and full sun as it matures. |
| Notable Specimens | Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America. |
| Habitat | Found in limestone canyons and thorny deciduous forests. |
| Bark/Stem Description | The trunk is thick and pale green with 20-50 ribs. |
| Leaf Description | The spines of a cactus are yellow but turn grey with age and bristle-like that usually point down and are 1-2 cm long. The areolas are yellow and grow 4-6 mm apart. |
| Flower Description | The flowers bloom at night and are dark red to magenta and they grow at the top of the cactus. |
| Fruit Description | Small, green and cylindrical and 4 cm long. |
Photographs
Neobuxbaumia polylopha, form. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.