This cactus is commonly know as "the old man" or "Mexican old man" because of the shaggy grey hairs that cover it. Its technical name is Chephalocereus Senilis.
I kind of take offense at that "senilis" part of the name. A few grey hairs don't make us senile.
8 comments:
I can see how it got its name!
We have several of these in our yard in Scottsdale. I never took offense at the name because I did not know the scientific name until I read your post. I will never be able to look at them the same again.
Ok, that made me laugh! I was thinking it kind of looks like the back of my head when I get up in the morning, but then it would have to be the the "old woman cactus".
Love these cactus - great picture and nice info, too =)
Thanks for stopping by this morning. Is this cactus in your yard? I was just watering a cactus this morning that my daughter received in Girl Scouts about 12 years ago and it has grown at least a foot. Not hairy, just prickly. I wonder if it will ever bloom.
I love this cactus!
Haha. I love this old cactus! I never knew its real name until now. How interesting!
You made me smile with the last paragraph! :-) I have some of these 'Old Men', but all species are so similar that I never know which is which...
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