Cipocereus laniflorus

Cipocereus laniflorus is a species of cactus with a treelike habit. Its stems, which branch out from the base of the plant, are columnar and olive-green in color. They can reach 2 m in height and 4 cm in diameter. The stems have 5-7 triangular ribs, on which the light brown to black areoles are situated. From the areoles emerge long, white hairs; over time, the areoles fuse and form continuous bands on the ribs. Furthermore, the areoles have translucent, dark brown spines, among which are 7-9 central spines, which measure 1.5-3 cm long. 10-14 marginal spines (up to 1 cm long) are also present per areole. The flowers are woolly and spiny. They are white to light creamy yellow in color, and measure 7 cm long and 3.5 cm wide. The fruits are ovoid, grooved, more or less blue-purple in color, and like the flowers, woolly and spiny. The seeds are brown in color.

Cipocereus laniflorus is native to the state of Minas Gerais in southeastern Brazil. It is mainly found in the seasonally-dry tropical biome.

Cipocereus laniflorus is mainly cultivated as an ornamental plant. It can be propagated vegetatively by cuttings, or by seeds.

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