Publication: Cactaceae Syst. Init. 14: 15. 2002 [Oct 2002]
Description
Espostoa lanianuligera is a strong attractive form of the widely distributed and variable Espostoa lanata.
Habit: It is a robust tree-like, tubular growing cactus, 3-5 meters tall, branching from near ground level up to half of the plant height.
Stem: Cylindrical, erect or slightly diverging, green, 5-11 cm in diameter.
Ribs: 19-30, low rounded, slightly notched, separated by linear furrows, 6-9 mm high.
Areoles: With yellowish brown felt.
Radial spines: 70-90, needle-like, whitish 6-12 mm long.
Central spines: 1 or 2 formed gradually at a later stage, subulate, awl-like, grey 1-4 cm long.
Lateral cephalia (flower producing structure): Reddish to orange.
Flowers: White, nocturnal, funnelform, nearly hidden by the wool 5,5-7 cm long.
Blooming season: Late spring, early summer.
Fruits: Top shaped, near spherical 3-4 cm long, purplish-red to nearly white, very juicy, sweet and edible.
Seeds: Small, black and shining.
Origin and Habitat
Cajamarca, Peru.
Altitude: 1900-2000 metres above sea level.
Habitat: It is quite common in the lowland region of Cajamarca.
Cultivation and Propagation
Espostoa lanata subs. lanianuligera is a summer-growing and easy cactus to grow. It makes great potted specimens.
Growth rate: Espostoa produces noticeable amounts of growth each year if kept well fed and watered throughout the warmest months, particularly if it has been acclimatised to accept full sun. Once this cactus is established it can easily produce 20 cm of growth every year. Most plants will offset readily, and clumps can be produced in a few years. It will fill a large pot in time however, so space is needed if it is to show of its best.
Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil with little organic matter (peat, humus).
Repotting: Repotting every 2-3 years. Needs lots and lots of space to grow, use large container filled with very porous compost. Use pot with good drainage.
Watering: Water the plants well and allow them to dry before watering again. This species seems to do better with a little more water than most cacti.
Fertilization: During the growing season fertilize them monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
Sun Exposure: Outside full sun, inside needs bright light, and some direct sun. During winter month, put them in a cool luminous place and encourage them to enter winter dormancy by withholding water and fertiliser over the winter as they will etiolate, or become thin, due to lower levels of light.
Hardiness: It is easy to grow and cold hardy as low as -12°C (or less).
Pest & diseases: They are susceptible to fungal diseases if overwatered, but are not nearly as sensitive as many other cacti, especially in warm weather. If kept damp through cold periods, they will invariably suffer.
Propagation: Cutting or from seed. The seeds are quite easy to germinate and grow. Their main requirements consist of high humidity levels, free-draining soil mix, and enough water, light, and nutrition.
Uses: The cephalia are used by the local inhabitants for pillow filling who harvested the wool from them by cutting down the stem.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug./2011
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David Hunt, Nigel Taylor “The New Cactus Lexicon” DH Books, 2006
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Edward F. Anderson “The Cactus Family” Timber Press, 2001
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Friedrich Ritter “Kakteen in Südamerika: Ergebnisse meiner 20-jährigen Feldforschung” Volume 4, pages 1443–1444 1981
From llifle page Espostoa lanianuligera
Origin and Habitat
Puente Crisnejas, Cajamarca (Peru, Western South America, Southern America)
Source: Espostoa lanianuligera, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.