Lemaireocereus pruinosus

Lemaireocereus pruinosus – 3 Arms

You will receive this exact, BIG specimen!
Measures 21" tall x 7” wide and features 4 arms including the base.
This is a LARGE specimen and will be a little expensive to ship.
(Variegated variety also available.)  
Will be shipped bare root.

Lemaireocereus pruinosus is a columnar cactus native to Mexico, commonly known as the blue torch cactus. It's also sometimes referred to as "Pitayo de Octubre" or "Pitayo de Mayo" due to the fruiting season in October and May, respectively.

Key Characteristics:

·         Appearance: Tall and slender, reaching up to 10 meters (33 feet) in its natural habitat. The stems have a distinctive blue-green color and a waxy, powdery coating, giving them a frosted look, which is the source of the name "pruinosus" (meaning "equipped with a pruine"). It develops into a tree-like form with a trunk and branching stems.

·         Spines: Short and dark brown or black spines emerge from conical areoles.

·         Flowers: Nocturnal, large and showy white or cream-colored flowers with numerous petals, tinged with pink.

·         Fruit: Edible and nutritious, with a sweet flavor, ripening in May and October. It's traditionally eaten fresh or used in juice, jam, and alcoholic beverages like tequila and mezcal. 

Habitat and Distribution:

·         Native to the arid regions of Oaxaca, Puebla, and Veracruz in Mexico, found on rocky slopes and hillsides at altitudes of 800 to 1900 meters. It grows in tropical deciduous forests and disturbed thorny scrub. 

Cultivation:

·         Requires full sun to partial shade.

·         Drought-tolerant, needing watering every 2-3 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer), allowing the soil to dry out between waterings, and less in winter.

·         Thrives in well-draining, sandy or gravelly soil.

·         Prefers warm temperatures and should be protected from freezing. 

Uses and Importance:

·         Cultivated as an ornamental plant.

·         Its edible fruit is a significant food source in Mexico.

·         Contributes to arid ecosystems by providing habitat and preventing erosion.

·         The blue-green color helps in reflecting sunlight and minimizing water loss. 

Note: Lemaireocereus pruinosus is often considered a synonym of Stenocereus pruinosus.