Cereus hildmannianus var. 'Monstrosus'

Posted by MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 18 July 2008 in Plant & Nature.

You might argue: "Don't tell me lies, this is obviously a C. peruvianus Monstrosus!' But when I did my research about this plant I learned that this blue thing indeed is a C. hildmannianus, because it's blue and has fewer spikes.

Monstrose and crested plant forms are interesting freaks of nature. While crested forms (we observed one a few weeks ago) grow along many growth points along a line that undulates and twists, the monstrose forms grow irregularly at their groth points and build a highly asymmetrical structure. In no way this is a degenerate or pathological growth; on the contrary these plants are demanded by collectors.

This wonderful cactus lives at Cologne Botanical Garden. Further fine examples of crested and monstrose cacti (and variations of both) shows this website.

Download my coffee-table book of selected postings here. Enjoy!

Comments (10)

Lorraine from Canada

MadScientist, I've been meaning to visit, first because I really like your name and it has all kinds of delightful connotation, and your comments on other blogs more often than not crack me up. So here I am, and delighted, of course, I love it, never seen anything like it, I'm very glad I dropped by....Should I visit your previous ones? will they fill me wonder at your brilliance. Or should I stop right here, and forever think of you as one of a kind?

18 Jul 2008 1:28pm

@Lorraine: There's no guarantee what will happen! But beware: you won't see anything but plants and stones, you will learn that this blog is the last retreat of the middle-class, you'll read about things you don't want to know and you always have to go to church or watch strange plants. And whoops! maybe you'll become ignited - or you don't! :-D

Steven from Chicagoland, United States

A VERY interesting variety of cactus. I have some potted cacti that are really starting to take off in the sun and heat of summer. Thank you for the informative narrative as well.

18 Jul 2008 2:52pm

@Steven: Thanks! This one here is a bit dehydrated - our specimen at home is way thicker! But a fabulous plant, nonetheless! Would like to see its flower, but making cacti flower is a difficult exercise as we have learned in the last few years.

Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom

MS, it looks as if it has melted, it's not an attractive plant, and I would call it - Gigantoricum monstrositius - Maybe.

18 Jul 2008 9:13pm

@Observing: But that blue! That blue!

JoeB from Brampton, Canada

Is it ugly or beautiful, it certainly has shape I got to get to a Botanical Garden. Keep an open eye when dealing with Lorraine she's... Canadian.

18 Jul 2008 11:14pm

@JoeB: O Canada!

Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia

Gorgeous. I love the shape and the lovely blue!

19 Jul 2008 2:26am

@Michael Skorulski: Yes, me too! This blue is truly mesmerizing :-)

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Please stop those links...damn it, each more impressive than the next. There's too much to see every where and all so gorgeous and well-writtten and, I knew deep down, intuitively, 'cause I'm very intuitive NOT to go click on your name, no way around...somewhere in the deep of the night, will be the time I visit you

19 Jul 2008 12:22pm

@Lorraine: I'll be waiting with my primitive plants :-)
There's no photo of the MadScientist yet. Just imagine I'm e-x-a-c-t-l-y looking like Cary Grant.

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

oh and JOEb. you're too sweet, go get some gas...

19 Jul 2008 12:23pm

@Lorraine: ...especially when it's for free...

Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan

Believe or not...I see silhouettes, contorted, yes, even a statuary group...instead of the plant itself!

20 Jul 2008 2:48pm

@Japanalia: I believe you; this is a plant with character. There's a superb book, Teratopia, full of plants like this one.

Daily Phototherapy from Sacramento, United States

Wonderful forms, great eye, Mad S. The light really makes the forms of the cactus really come out.

20 Jul 2008 4:43pm

@Daily Phototherapy: Thanks! I had to crop a little bit as the plant behind that cactus is another sensation: an Opuntia as big as a tree (that is quite unique in my part of the world! :-)

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

Looks like hands clasped in prayer.

23 Jul 2008 10:58pm

@Twelvebit: Very crumpled hands! If they would water it more thoroughly, it would look a bit more massy.

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