Pachycereus Species, Senita Cactus, Totem Pole Cactus (Pachycereus schottii f. monstrosus)

by Kell Mar 8, 2019 5:56 PM

This is the primo form of a totem pole. Very robust, very lumpy, very slow growing, and (of course) very expensive. Totem poles are monstrous forms of Senita (Lophocereus shottii) which has many varieties from very robust to quite slender. They (usually) do not have spines with only an occasional sticker to remind us they really are a cactus.

Pasadena California

'forma mieckleyanus' Thinner, less tubercled type. Frost damage on one pole. In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

'forma mieckleyanus' Thinner, less tubercled type.In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

'fa obesa' Thicker more tubercled type.In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

Some of the fewest spines you'll ever see on this species form. At the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, zone 9b.

At the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, zone 9b.

Flowers on June 7th, early Summer, zone 9b. At the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, zone 9b.

we call this guy the Hulk

Pachycereus schottii v. monstrose (Totem Pole Cactus)

Noted to possibly grow from 10-20' but hopefully not that high in a plantar!

forms obesa and mieckleyanus

elegantly potted plants in California Cactus Nursery, southern California

"forma mieckleyanus" This photo originally added to the PlantFiles on August 28, 2004. At the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, zone 9b.

At the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, zone 9b. This one is about 20 ft high or higher. "forma obesa" Photo originally added to the PlantFiles on September 16, 2004

At the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, zone 9b. A much older and massive one. "forma obesa" Photo originally added to the PlantFiles on September 17, 2004

At the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, zone 9b. Buds and flowers way up on the stem. Photo originally added to the PlantFiles on September 16, 2004

In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9b. Here's a Sport or Forma of a spiral sort. In zone 9b. Photo originally added to the PlantFiles on July 22, 2006

artful display

In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9b. 'Obesa monstrose' form. (More bumpier) Phoenix, AZ. April 14, 2011

In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9b. 'Obesa monstrose' form in the middle & 'forma mieckleyanus monstrose' in the background. Phoenix, AZ. April 14, 2011

San Diego Botanic Garden

skinny, somewhat thin and sad plants growing too close to the ocean, southern California

Center. Photo courtesy of; copyright of Jan Emming of Destination:Forever Ranch and Gardens, a 40 acre desert botanical garden/sustainable living homestead in Arizona.

Photo courtesy of; copyright of Jan Emming of Destination:Forever Ranch and Gardens, a 40 acre desert botanical garden/sustainable living homestead in Arizona.

Pachycereus schotii f. mieckleyanus. Tucson Botanical Gardens. Photo courtesy of Karl Gercens. Copyright Karl Gercens. Conservatory Horticulturist at Longwood Gardens. http://www.karlgercens.com/