Bushy Bottom Cactus
Espostoa blossfeldiorum

Family: Cactaceae

This columnar cactus can grow 6-10’ tall or taller. The stems are usually singular for a long time but eventually may branch at the base forming small clusters of tall stems. Older plants will form a cephalium which is a dense, matted formation of hairy spines which the plant blooms from. Small, tubular yellow flowers occur in late spring or early summer, followed by small fruits. Older plants will form a skirt of bushy spines at the base, lending its common name, bushy bottom cactus.

Plant in full to part sun, low water (maybe once a month in summer). Plants are hardy to about 25°F. Container plants should be watered about once a week in summer, and seldom or not at all in winter.

Not much is known about the pollination of this species. Many birds may eat the fruits.

The genus, Espostoa is named for Nicolas Esposto, a Peruvian botanist. The species blossfeldiorum, is named for the botanist who discovered the plant, Harry Blossfeld (1913-1986). There are 11 species of Espostoa known from the Andes of southern Ecuador and Peru.

The native range of this species is N. & Central Peru.

Photo of plant in the wild in Peru by danplant on iNaturalist