Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
toothpick cactus, Argentine toothpick cactus
Family Name:
Cactaceae
Botanical Name:
Stetsonia coryne
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Most commonly known as the "toothpick cactus," Stetsonia coryne has ribbed, blue-green stems. The thick trunk produces many erect or somewhat arching branches that reach up to 16 feet in height, and can branch out to 20 feet wide. The unsegmented stems have eight to nine ribs, each with spines that run the entire length of the stem. As the cactus matures, the spines change from yellow to black, and become stiff, heavy and straight. From late spring to summer, you can observe white flowers blossoming from the toothpick cactus during the night. This cactus also produces fruit that turns from green to red as it ripens (1).
Compound:
Ste cor
Geographic Origin:
Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia
Ecozone Origin:
Neotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
S. coryne is native to South America, specifically in low desert regions of Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia (1,2).
Cultivation Notes:
This species of cactus is very low maintenance. It grows best in both full sun and part shade environments, and requires very little water. When watering, be sure that the soil is well drained. The toothpick cactus is hardy in temperatures as low as 20oF (1,2).
Ethnobotany:
The toothpick cactus does not serve any specific landscape functions, but is best used when displayed by itself, particularly in transition and arid landscape zones (1).
Height:
16 - 20 feet
Width:
16 - 20 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Fall
Flower Season:
ForeSummer
Color:
White
Function:
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
1. Anderson, Edward F.
The Cactus Family. 1st ed., Timber Press Incorporated, 2001.
