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Pleated Cereus, Mandacarú

Scientific Name: Cereus jamacaru DC.
Synonym: Cereus calcirupicola, Cereus glaucus, Cereus goiasensis, Cereus laetevirens, Cereus perrottetianus, Piptanthocereus cabralensis, Piptanthocereus calcirupicola, Piptanthocereus cipoensis, Piptanthocereus goiasensis, Piptanthocereus jamacaru
Family: Cactaceae

Cereus jamacaru monstrose at the Boyce-Thompson arboretum

Recommended Temperature Zone:
USDA: 9b-11

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Brazil (Minas Gerais)

Growth Habits: Tree-like, up to 30 feet tall (9 m), segmented stems, 4 to 6 inches wide (10-15 cm), main trunk over 18 inches in diameter (45 cm); 4 to 6 slightly wavy, notched, ribs; 2 to 4 centrals, 3.2 to 16 in. long (8 to 20 cm); 5 to 7 radials, up to 0.6 in. long

Propagation: Seeds in spring, cuttings in summer

An antique photo of Cereus jamacaru in Britton and Rose's The Cactaceae

The Cereus jamacaru stems have 4 to 6 ribs, with areoles 0.8 to 1.6 inches apart (2 to 4 cm). The areoles have numerous yellow spines, with the central one often several inches long.

Spine cluster, picture from K. Schumann "Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen"

Blooming Habits:
The flowers come in summer. They are 10 inches long (25 cm), with green outside and white petals that have a brownish outside edge. They are followed by a 5 inches long (12 cm) purple fruit.

List of All the Plants | More in the Cactaceae family

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