Spruce cone cactus

Description

Tephrocactus articulatus is a species of cactus in the subfamily Opuntioideae of the plant family Cactaceae. They usually grow branches up to one foot tall with white flowers. Propagation is usually through cuttings. Stem segments easily break away and will root without special treatment. Plants may also be grown from seeds. Spring blooms open at end-of-evening nautical twilight, and close shortly after sunrise. They originate in Argentina, but are cultivated in outdoor landscaping in warm desert climates such as Phoenix, Arizona. Common varieties within the species include var. inermis ("Spruce cone cactus") and var. papyracanthus ("Paper Spine Cholla Cactus"). Tephrocactus (from Greek tephra, "ash", referring to the color of these plants' epidermis) is a genus of the cactus family (Cactaceae).