Lower Risk

Cleistocactus straussii (Silver Torch, Woolly Torch)

(Pilocereus straussii, Borzicactus straussii)

Cleistocactus straussii is a perennial, succulent with erect, slender, grey-green stems densely covered in silvery-white spines. Each stem can grow to 3m. Older plants produce burgundy flowers in late summer. The species is native to dry mountain regions of Argentina and Bolivia. It is possibly naturalised in the Canary Islands but is not recorded as invasive anywhere. It has been in trade in the UK long enough to receive the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Time in trade in Australia is unknown.