Espostoa lanata
{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{one source|date=May 2017}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Espostoa lanata var gracilis 2.jpg
| image_caption = Espostoa lanata var. gracilis
| genus = Espostoa
| species = lanata
| authority = (Kunth, 1823) Britton & Rose, 1920
| synonyms = Cactus lanatus Kunth
}}
File:Espostoa lanata - Adelaide Botanic Gardens.jpg
Espostoa lanata is a species of cactus of the genus Espostoa.
Its common names are Peruvian old man cactus,{{Cite web|date=2017-05-16|title=Espostoa lanata (Peruvian Old Man Cactus)|url=https://worldofsucculents.com/espostoa-lanata-peruvian-old-man-cactus/|access-date=2021-02-11|website=World of Succulents|language=en-US}} cotton ball cactus, snowball cactus, snowball old man.
Habitat
Description
Espostoa lanata is a columnar cactus. It looks like Cephalocereus senilis (the Old Man of Mexico) : it is a densely hairy species, covered by a warm woolly coat and well adapted to high altitudes. It is widespread in its habitat and quite variable in size and spines, and for this reason it has received several names.{{Cite web|title=Espostoa lanata|url=http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/ESPOSTOA/Espostoa_lanata/Espostoa_lanata/Espostoa_lanata.htm|access-date=2021-02-11|website=www.cactus-art.biz}}
The plant is a column up to 7 meters tall in the wild, but only 3 meters when cultivated. The diameter is from 5 to 20 cm. There are 18 to 25 ribs. The ribs and the sharp central spines are mainly hidden by the woolly radial spines. It branches only after several years.
It flowers at night from a lateral cephalium after several years.
=Subspecies=
- Espostoa lanata subsp. lanata
- Espostoa lanata subsp. huanucoensis {{small|(H.Johnson ex F.Ritter) G.J.Charles}} synonym Espostoa huanucoensis {{small|F.Ritter}}
- Espostoa lanata subsp. lanianuligera {{small|(F.Ritter) G.J.Charles}} synonym Espostoa lanianuligera {{small|F.Ritter}}
- Espostoa lanata subsp. ruficeps {{small|(F.Ritter) G.J.Charles}} synonym Espostoa ruficeps {{small|F.Ritter}}
Cultivation
Espostoa lanata is easy to grow. It needs fertile and well-drained soil. In summer, water the plants well but allow them to dry before watering again. Use monthly a fertilizer for cacti.
In winter, keep it dry and the temperature may be as low as −12 °C, but it is better to keep it without frost.
The exposure must be sunny in summer and at least luminous in winter.
In favorable conditions (sun, water, large place), it can grow 20 cm every year.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1368378}}