Woolly Torch

Scientific Name: Pilosocereus leucocephalus (Poselg) Byles & G.D.Rowley
Synonym: Cephalocereus cometes, Cephalocereus leucocephalus, Cephalocereus maxonii, Cephalocereus palmeri, Cephalocereus sartorianus, Cephalocereus tehuacanus, Cereus cometes, Cereus leucocephalus, Cereus maxonii, Cereus palmeri, Cereus sartorianus, Cereus tehuacanus, Cereus victoriensis, Pilocereus flavicomus, Pilocereus jubatus, Pilocereus leucocephalus, Pilocereus maxonii, Pilocereus palmeri, Pilocereus sartorianus, Pilocereus tehuacanus, Pilosocereus cometes, Pilosocereus maxonii, Pilosocereus palmeri, Pilosocereus palmeri var. victoriensis , Pilosocereus sartorianus, Pilosocereus tehuacanus
Family: Cactaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
USDA: 9b-11

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 28°F (-2°C)

Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun

Origin: Southern Mexico to Guatemala and Honduras

Growth Habits: Columnar branched cactus, fast growing, up to 20 feet tall (6 m); 7-14 ribs; 1 dark brown central spine on young stems, up to 1.2 inches long (3 cm); 8 to 12 lighter shorter radials

Propagation: Seeds that provide slow growing seedlings, or easily by cuttings

An antique picture, as Cephalocereus maxonii, in Britton and Rose's The Cactaceae

Pilosocereus leucocephalus is a variable species with a large distribution area. This accounts for the numerous synonyms.

Blooming Habits:
The area where the flowers will grow has much denser hair than the rest of the stem. It is called a pseudo-cephalium. The 3 inches long (8 cm) funnel-shaped flowers are whitish to light pink inside, reddish green outside. They are followed by 1.6 inches long (4 cm) red fruit with red pulp and black seeds.