Protective hairs inspire nicknames
Cephalocereus senilis
Family: Cactaceae
Conservation status: Endangered
Cephalocereus senilis is considered endangered due in part to its popularity as an ornamental. However, industry propagation has reduced harvest pressure on the wild populations growing in the plant’s native habitat of Central Mexico.
It is nicknamed “the old man cactus” due to its silvery-white hairs that resemble the unruly hair of an older man. (One of our student workers dubbed it the “Bernie Sanders Cactus.”)
The hairs are actually modified spines that protect the plant from harsh environmental conditions like intense sunlight and frost.
Eventually, these cacti will produce yellow, red, or white flowers. But most do not flower until the plant is 10 to 20 years old.