Pilosocereus gounellei
| Light | Full sun; bright and intense once established |
|---|---|
| Water | Very sparingly; drench only when the mix is bone dry, keep dry in winter |
| Soil | Sharp, gritty, mostly mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Warm-growing; keep above freezing, USDA zones 10–11 |
| Propagation | Seed and stem cuttings |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Pilosocereus gounellei (now often treated as Xiquexique gounellei), widely known as the xiquexique, is a shrubby, densely spined columnar cactus native to the arid caatinga scrublands of northeastern Brazil. It forms low, much-branched thickets of blue-green stems armed with stiff, spreading spines, and is one of the most characteristic plants of its harsh, drought-prone homeland — a valued emergency fodder for livestock during the region's long dry spells.
Description
Pilosocereus gounellei is a low, spreading, heavily branched cactus that typically builds up into a rounded shrub rather than a tall single column. The stems are ribbed and clothed in areoles bearing numerous stiff, radiating spines that are noticeably longer and more spreading than in many of its relatives, giving the plant a bristly, tangled appearance. Stem colour ranges from green to a waxy blue-green.
As with the rest of the genus, flowering areoles near the stem tips develop conspicuous tufts of long hair or wool. The funnel-shaped, pale nocturnal flowers open at night and are followed by fleshy fruits. Although Pilosocereus is otherwise a characteristically bat-pollinated genus, studies of this species record hawkmoths (sphingid moths) as its principal pollinators. The common name xiquexique (pronounced roughly "shee-kee-shee-kee") is used across its range.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to northeastern Brazil, where it is a signature plant of the caatinga — the semi-arid thornscrub and dry forest that covers much of the interior of states such as Bahia, Pernambuco, Ceará and Paraíba. It grows on stony, sun-baked ground and rocky outcrops, often forming extensive low thickets alongside other drought-adapted plants.
In these seasonally dry landscapes P. gounellei endures long rainless periods and intense heat, storing water in its stems. During severe droughts local farmers traditionally singe off the spines and feed the chopped stems to cattle and goats, making the xiquexique an important survival resource in the sertão.
Cultivation
This is a tough, sun-loving cactus that rewards a hot, bright position and a very lean, fast-draining mix. Give it as much light as you can — full sun suits it — and a mostly mineral substrate in a pot that drains freely. Overwatering is the main danger in cultivation: water thoroughly only when the soil has dried out completely, and keep the plant dry and warm through the cooler months.
Like most Pilosocereus, it resents cold, wet conditions and should be kept above freezing. Growth can be slow at first but strengthens once the plant is established. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
Both seed and stem cuttings work well. Fresh seed germinates readily on a warm, gritty surface kept humid until the seedlings establish; see Propagation — seed. Cuttings of stem segments should be left to callus for a week or more in a dry, shaded spot before being potted into a barely-moist mineral mix to root — see Propagation — cuttings. Because the plant naturally branches from the base, suitable cutting material is usually easy to come by.
Common problems
- Rot — the commonest cause of loss, almost always from overwatering or a slow-draining mix; stems soften and discolour from the base.
- Etiolation — too little light causes thin, pale, stretched growth that loses the plant's characteristic dense, spiny form.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff tucked among the areoles and spines) and red spider mites are the usual offenders; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Pilosocereus — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — seed · Propagation — cuttings · Repotting