Pilosocereus mollispinus


Pilosocereus mollispinus is a species of cactus native to Brazil.

Description

Pilosocereus mollispinus is a shrubby cactus that reaches heights of up to 2.3 meters. The dark green to grayish-green shoots have a diameter of up to 8.5 centimeters and have 13 to 16 ribs. The areoles are spaced 7 to 12 millimeters apart, and have 13 to 16 soft, flexible non-prickly gray spines. The radial spines are up to 1.3 centimeters long, and the central spines are up to 2.3 centimeters long. Stems have little to no cephalium.
The funnel-shaped flowers are about 4.5 centimeters long and reach a diameter of up to 3.4 centimeters. The flower tube is green, and the bracts are white. The fruits are greenish, having a diameter of up to 3 centimeters and contain white flesh. The fruits contain small, black seeds.

Taxonomy

Pilosocereus mollispinus was described 2004 by Pierre Josef Braun and Eddie Esteves. The specific epithet "mollispinus" refers to the soft spines.