Read about Cephalocereus in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
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Cephalocereus (referring to the crown of long hair). Syn. Pilocereus. Cactaceae. Mostly large columnar plants, single or branched, usually characterized by an abundance of wool or long white hair developing at the top or on one side near the top: fls. nocturnal, small, thick, fleshy, naked: fr. small, globular berry, naked: seeds black.—Some 16 or more species are known. The culture of the species is similar to that of the arborescent species of Cereus. The species of Cephalocereus are well suited only for large collections and are rarely seen elsewhere, except in the case of C. senilis, of which enormous quantities are shipped to Europe by commercial dealers. See Succulents. The following species have been reported or may be expected in cult., but none is as yet at all common. C. chrysocanthus, Brit.& Rose; C. cometes, Brit. & Rose; C. lanuginosus, Brit. & Rose: C. Russellianus, Rose (Cereus Russellianus, Rumpl). C. nobliis, Brit.& Rose- J. N. Rose.
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Cephalocereus is the genus that represents about 5 slow growing columnar cactus species from Mexico. The genus used to encompass 48 species but many have been removed. The name means 'Cereus with a cephalium', Cereus being the name of a fairly large category of columnar cactus. In turn Cereus is coming from the latine for 'candle'.
Older specimen develop a cephalium, hairier area on their side, from where the trumpet shaped flowers are coming.
Propagation is by seeds or sometimes by clippings.