Also known as "Paper Spine Cactus" or "Paper Spine Cholla Cactus,"

With its unique, segmented stems and broad, paper-thin "spines," this cactus has an unusual appearance. The segments resemble small cone-shaped parts that are loosely attached to each other and easily detach. The plant reaches a height of up to 12 inches (30 cm) and grows in a bushy, compact pattern.

Botanical Description

The cactus Tephrocactus articulatus comes from Western Argentina.

Appearance.

The stem consists of small, cone-shaped segments that form a cone-like appearance. This variety is particularly known for its raffia-like, flat "thorns" which are not true thorns, but thin ribbon-like structures. These can vary greatly in color, pattern, and length, which contributes to the interesting appearance of the plant and has led to many different names and variants within the species.

Tephrocactus articulatus blooms in beautiful white or yellow flowers, which provide a nice contrast to the earthy colors of the plant's stem. After flowering, brownish fruits are formed that are between 1 and 5 cm long.

Care.

This cactus is easy to care for and cold hardy, down to about -9°C. For best growth, it should be placed in full sun. It requires good drainage and thrives best in a well-drained cactus soil. When handling this plant, it is best to use gloves to avoid its small, irritating glochids (small spines).

Tephrocactus articulatus is easy to propagate by taking segment cuttings. The cone-like segments detach easily and can be easily rooted by placing them directly in the soil. Buy Tephrocactus articulatus online!