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Cleistocactus hyalacanthus
Most cactus lovers like spines. We don’t necessarily like getting poked and impaled by spines, but we do like the way they look. Whether it be their shape or color or arrangement or combination of all these, we like the aesthetic of the spine and find ways to mitigate any potential pain they might cause. With this particular Cleistocactus, the appeal lies in a combination of the plant's numerous narrowly-upright stems, and an abundance of straw-colored, needle-like spines that capture light with ease and often seem to glow when struck by morning or evening light. Also intriguing about this plant are the 2" long, tube-shaped, red flowers. The flowers of most cacti flare open to attract pollinators, but this and other species of Cleistocactus only open their flowers wide enough for hummingbird beaks to work their magic, a very wise strategy for conserving precious moisture when you live in an arid climate.
