Unidentified Cactus, or?

Jess Wunman · Post by **Jess Wunman** » Thu Apr 03, 2014 12:19 am

Hi, first time poster... cacti newbie...

I'm guessing that this approx. 18" X 7" plant is a cactus, sans spines. Can anyone identify it for me? It's located in a residential area near Phoenix, AZ. (At first glance, I thought it was a stone sculpture. I love the coloration, even if it's just a poor, sickly plant.)

Thanks,
Jess

Saxicola · Post by **Saxicola** » Thu Apr 03, 2014 3:12 am

Welcome! We'd love to help but we need a picture!

Jess Wunman · Post by **Jess Wunman** » Thu Apr 03, 2014 9:56 pm

Duh... forgot the pic... sorry!

Saxicola · Post by **Saxicola** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 5:24 am

Interesting! That plant has started cresting. It is a rare mutation that is highly coveted by cactus growers. I'm not certain what it is but it kind of reminds me of Astrophytum myriostigma.

CactusFanDan · Post by **CactusFanDan** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 6:19 am

Cristate Pachycereus marginatus I reckon. It's incredibly stressed out though. Might benefit from a bit of shade or some extra water.

Jess Wunman · Post by **Jess Wunman** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 8:26 pm

Saxicola... as I said, I'm a cacti-newbie. You could tell me that this arrived from Mars on a metorite, and I wouldn't argue it. A rare, coveted mutant... REALLY?

Jess Wunman · Post by **Jess Wunman** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 8:43 pm

CactusFanDan, I think you've set me on the right track. I did a little research, and yes, it looks like a Pipe cactus in the main body, with obvious cristation. Have you ever seen similar coloration?

Saxicola · Post by **Saxicola** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 9:54 pm

The coloration is due to the very poor conditions it is under (as Dan mentioned). Give it some more water and maybe a little protection from the hottest afternoon sun and it will look 100x better.

Jess Wunman · Post by **Jess Wunman** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 9:17 pm

Thanks for the identification help, and the advice.

Jess Wunman · Post by **Jess Wunman** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 8:27 pm

This cactus is currently blooming. Do the blooms help with making a positive identification? Also, does this indicate that the plant is not as stressed as previously believed?

adetheproducer · Post by **adetheproducer** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 10:35 pm

The flowers look a little like astrophytum myriostigma but I coukd be quite wrong.

vlani · Post by **vlani** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 10:55 pm

I'd say myriostigma

Jess Wunman · Post by **Jess Wunman** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 5:48 pm

Will a cactus that is very stressed still put on blooms?

adetheproducer · Post by **adetheproducer** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 7:57 pm

Clearly it will, must be old too looks like it was tall before it got too heavy and bent over.

CactusFanDan · Post by **CactusFanDan** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 8:57 pm

Looks like Saxicola was right from the beginning.

What an incredible plant! Very old and crested. I'm sure someone would pay a silly amount of money for a plant like that, although it does look extremely stressed out still.

Could you set up a shade tent with like 30% shade cloth over it? That would probably help it to green up.

Unidentified Cactus, or?

Unidentified Cactus, or?

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