Pilosocereus (from Latin, “hairy cereus”) is a genus of cactus. Tree cactus is a common name for Pilosocereus species.

Cereus is a genus of cacti (family Cactaceae) including around 33 species of large columnar cacti from South America. The name is derived from Greek and Latin words meaning “wax” or “torch”. The genus Cereus was one of the first cactus genera to be described; the circumscription varies depending on the authority. The term “cereus” is also sometimes used for a ceroid cactus, any cactus with a very elongated body, including columnar growth cacti and epiphytic cacti.

Cereus are shrubby or treelike, often attaining great heights (C. hexagonus, C. lamprospermus, C. trigonodendron up to 15 m). Most stems are angled or distinctly ribbed, ribs 3–14, usually well developed and have large areoles, usually bearing spines. Cephalium is not present, Cereus mortensenii develops pseudocephalium. Flowers are large, funnelform, 9–30 cm long, usually white, sometimes pink, purple, rarely cream, yellow, greenish, and open at night. Fruits are globose to ovoid to oblong, 3–13 cm long, fleshy, naked, usually red but sometimes yellow, pulp white, pink or red. Seeds large, curved ovoid, glossy black.

EXIF Data

Camera Type: NIKON D3100
Lens: 18.0-55.0 mm f/3.5-5.6
Date Taken: 3/11/13
Aperture: f/22.0
Shutter Speed: 1/125
ISO: 400
Exposure Mode: Manual
Focal Length: 55.0 mm
White Balance: Manual
Metering Mode: Center Weight
Light Source (In Camera): N/A
Flash: N/A
Light Source (External): Cloudy weather
Size: 113 KB
Location: 4361 Custis Avenue, Sacramento, California
Latitude: 38,32.7424N
Longitude: 121,29.8172W
Elevation: 7.70 m