Cereus aethiops


Scientific Name: Cereus aethiops Haw.
Synonym: Cereus azureus, Cereus beysiegelii, Cereus chalybaeus, Cereus coerulescens, Cereus seidelii, Piptanthocereus aethiops, Piptanthocereus chalybaeus
Family: Cactaceae
(Cereus aethiops)
Recommended Temperature Zone:
USDA: 9b-11

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Brazil, Uruguay, and northern Argentina

Growth Habits: Succulent shrub, up to 7 feet tall (2 m), 5 feet spread (1.5 m); the bluish stems are 3 inches in diameter (7.5 cm); 5-8 ribs; areoles 0.6 inches apart (1.5 cm); 2-4 central spines, up to 0.8 inches long (2 cm); 7-12 radials, 0.4 inches long (1 cm).

Watering Needs: Little water, humus rich, well drained sandy soil

Propagation: Seeds in spring, or cuttings in summer

(Cereus aethiops)
Copyright Jose Barbuzza

The Cereus aethiops forms clumps of blue green stems. They have 6 to 8 ribs. The areoles are 0.5 inch apart (1 to 1.5 cm), with 2 to 4 black central spines and a dozen of radial spines.
Cereus beysiegelii seems to be a cristate form (Borg 1945).
The clones with the thicker stems and 5-6 ribs have been described as Cereus chalybaeus while Cereus aethiops was described with 8 ribs and stems 1.5 inches in diameter (4 cm)

Picture 2 and 3 are from Willy Smith's Site

(Cereus aethiops)
Copyright Jose Barbuzza

Blooming Habits:
The 8 inches-long (20 cm) funnel-shaped white flowers with purplish sepals open at night. They are followed by prune-shaped 1.5 inches long (4 cm) purple fruits.


 

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