description Lophocereus schottii Overview
Lophocereus schottii, commonly known as the senita cactus, is a columnar cactus native to the Sonoran Desert in northwestern Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States. Mature plants grow multiple vertical stems reaching several meters in height, with upper portions developing dense clusters of bristly grey spines. The species produces small nocturnal flowers pollinated primarily by the senita moth (Upiga virescens) in an obligate nursery pollination mutualism in which the moth's larvae consume a portion of the seeds. It shares much of its range with the organ pipe cactus and the saguaro.
help Lophocereus schottii FAQ
Why do older senita cactus stems grow bristles near the top?
Mature Lophocereus schottii stems develop dense gray bristles around their flowering zones. The bristly tips are a useful field mark and help distinguish senita from several other columnar Sonoran Desert cacti.
What pollinates the senita cactus?
The senita moth, Upiga virescens, is its specialized pollinator. The female deliberately pollinates flowers and lays eggs there, while the larvae consume some developing fruit in a mutualism often compared with yuccas and yucca moths.
Where does Lophocereus schottii grow naturally?
It is native mainly to the Sonoran Desert of northwestern Mexico, including Baja California and Sonora, with a limited range in southern Arizona. It grows in hot desert flats, washes, and rocky slopes.
Is senita cactus the same as the totem pole cactus?
The familiar spineless, knobby totem pole cactus is a monstrose cultivated form of Lophocereus schottii. It looks dramatically different from the normally ribbed and spined wild form but belongs to the same species.
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