Stenocactus crispatus


Stenocactus crispatus, formerly known as Echinofossulocactus crispatus, is a species of cactus native to the deserts of Mexico. Along with other members of the genus Stenocactus, it is also known as the "brain cactus".

Description

Stenocactus crispatus grows up to tall and wide is a bluish-green to dark olive-green colour and globose obovoid or short-cylindric in habit.
It has 3-4 very long flattened central spines in length that are variable in colour from white through yellow to an almost black dark brown. These central spines are surrounded by 4-6 radial spines that are long.
It is similar to Stenocactus multicostatus and equally variable, although often with a darker stem and with less numerous ribs, usually 30-60 as opposed to 50-100 for S. multicostatus.
Its flowers are pale pink with purple or violet mid-veins in diameter, well developed and covered with imbricating scales.

Distribution

Stenocactus crispatus is found in Hidalgo, Queretaro, Veracruz, Oaxaca and Puebla in north and central Mexico.