Shape | Upright columnar. |
Landscape | Rock gardens, cacti gardens, potted indoor or patio plant or as a specimen. |
Propagation | Leaf cuttings. |
Cultivation | Plant in loose, well-draining loamy, sandy or gravelly soils in full sun. More sun makes for optimal plant growth. Repot annually to encourage growth. |
Notable Specimens | Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. |
Habitat | Dry, rocky plains and shrublands. |
Bark/Stem Description | Upright columns that grow in a distinct 4-veined shape. Areoles insignificant, 1 - 2 mm in diameter. Small spines, 1 -4 mm long. |
Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Small round flower buds, insignificant, growing along the veins and areoles with the leaves. |
Leaf Description | Small obovate-pinnate leaves grow along the columns, 2 - 3 cm long and 1 - 2 cm wide. |
Flower Description | Small inflorescences, insignificant, growing between 1 - 4 mm in diameter. |
Colour Description | Deep green to reddish-green succulent flesh. Dark brownish-black spines, medium green leaves and reddish-pink to white flowers. |
Texture Description | Smooth, thorny. |