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The 'creeping devil' forma cristata.... a very wild
and striking crest. |
Description: The standard Macharocereus eruca is an odd
wildly spined cactus with crawling
prostrate stems except for their slightly raised tips. They grow
about up to 3 m long
ramifying further and eventually covering a huge area. The crested form
is also very spiny and odd looking.
Areoles: Large, 2 cm apart,
Central spines: flat much wider than the others, 3 cm long.
Radial spines: Around 20 light grey or whitish of unequal length. Outer ones are short and
subulate; inner ones are larger and flat.
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Cultivation: This plant, is seldom seen in
cultivation, need full sun to light shade, in plants that are too
shaded the spines turn out to be shorter and
untypical.
Propagation: is by grafting.
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name:
Macharocereus eruca (Brandegee)
Britton and Rose forma cristata
Synonyms:
- Cereus eruca Brandegee
- Machaerocereus eruca (Brandegee) Britton and Rose
- Stenocereus eruca (Brandegee) A.C.Gibson & K.E.Horak
- Lemaireocereus eruca
- Rathbunia eruca
Common Names include: Creeping Devil Cactus, Chirinole, Caterpillar Cactus
The name Machaerocereus signifies dagger cereus with reference to the
longest
central spines that are knifelike flat and much wider than the
others.
Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and
cultivars of Macharocereus eruca.
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