Life Span
Perennial
Biennial
Type
Cactus or Succulent
Tree
Origin
Mexico
Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Types
Cephalocereus senilis
Yellow Birch, Paper Birch, River Birch
Number of Varieties
140
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Dry areas, Forest margins, gardens, Semi arid regions, Semi desert
Hills, Moist Soils
USDA Hardiness Zone
11-154-9
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12-10
9-1
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 21, 22, 23, 24
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Narrow Upright/Fastigiate
Oval or Rounded
Plant Size
Minimum Height
460.00 cm2,133.60 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
30.00 cm762.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Pink
Yellow, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Light Pink
Black
Leaf Color in Spring
White
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
White
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
White
Yellow, Light Yellow, Tan
Leaf Color in Winter
White
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Funnel shaped
Pinnate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Very Slow
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Drought
Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting, Vegetative Reproduction
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Water when soil is dry
Requires watering in the growing season, Water daily during growing season, Water Deeply, Water more frequently during periods of extreme drought
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Remove branches, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove hanging branches
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, fertilize twice a year, Nitrogen
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Pollution, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
Flowers
Showy
Showy
Flower Petal Number
-
-
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Bold
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
-
Ants, Aphids, Birds
Allergy
Skin irritation
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
-
Beauty Benefits
-
Good for skin
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Nesting sites for birds, Shadow Tree, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
-
Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, Arthritis, Boils, bowel syndrome, Combats Stress, Diarrhea, Dysentry, Heart problems, Kidney Stones, Osteoarthritis, Skin Disorders, Urinary tract problems
Part of Plant Used
Bulbs, Hair
Bark, Leaves, Sap
Other Uses
Hair is used in making sweaters, Showy Purposes
Medicinal oil, Used as essential oil
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Rock Garden, Wall
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
CEPHALOCEREUS senilis
BETULA nigra 'Studetec'
Common Name
Bunny Cactus
White Persian Cat cactus
Black Birch, River Birch, Tecumseh Compact River Birch
In Hindi
ओल्ड मैन कैक्टस
काले बर्च वृक्ष
In German
Old Man Cactus
Schwarze Birke
In French
Old Man Cactus
Noir Bouleau
In Spanish
Viejo Cactus
Negro del árbol de abedul
In Greek
Γέρος Cactus
Μαύρο Birch Tree
In Portuguese
Old Man Cactus
Bétula Preto
In Polish
Stary Cactus
Czarny Brzoza
In Latin
Senem Cactus
Niger Caerulus
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Fagales
Family
Cactaceae
Betulaceae
Genus
Cephalocereus
Betula
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
Pachycereeae
-
Subfamily
Cactoideae
-
Number of Species
20040
1
27800
👆🏻