{"product_id":"stenocactus-multicostatus-f-lloydii-long-spined-brain-cactus-mexican-collector-cactus","title":"Stenocactus multicostatus f. lloydii | Long-Spined Brain Cactus | Mexican Collector Cactus","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStenocactus multicostatus f. lloydii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a distinctive long-spined form of the remarkably variable \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStenocactus multicostatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, prized for its intricate maze of tightly folded ribs and dramatic papery spination. The globose to slightly cylindrical stem may develop dozens of extremely narrow, undulating ribs, giving mature specimens the remarkable folded appearance that has earned the species common names such as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrain Cactus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWave Cactus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe form traditionally known as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elloydii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is especially notable for its elongated, flattened spines, which may range from creamy white and pale gray to reddish-brown or deep red. These prominent spines arch across the heavily ribbed body and give the plant a considerably different appearance from many more typical forms of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStenocactus multicostatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Combined with its early spring flowers and highly architectural growth, this makes f. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003elloydii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e an outstanding selection for collectors interested in naturally variable Mexican cacti.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNative Habitat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStenocactus multicostatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is native to the dry uplands of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enorthern and northeastern Mexico\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with populations historically associated with the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003elloydii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e form occurring particularly in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCoahuila, Chihuahua, and Durango\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Plants inhabit \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003erocky grasslands, gravelly plains, open slopes, and dry upland meadows\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, where they often grow low among stones and sparse xerophytic vegetation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese habitats experience strong sunlight, seasonal summer rainfall, cool dry winters, and substantial fluctuations between daytime and nighttime temperatures. The numerous narrow ribs allow the plant body to expand rapidly after rainfall and contract considerably during drought.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe surrounding xerophytic flora can be exceptionally diverse. In documented \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStenocactus multicostatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e habitat in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCoahuila\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, associated cacti and succulents include \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEchinocactus horizonthalonius, Lophophora williamsii, Thelocactus bicolor, Neolloydia conoidea, Echinocereus stramineus,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAstrophytum capricorne\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, creating a rich assemblage of specialized Chihuahuan Desert plants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlowering Information:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStenocactus multicostatus f. lloydii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e typically begins flowering in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elate winter to early spring\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, often making it one of the first Mexican cacti in a collection to bloom as temperatures begin to rise.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlowers emerge from the crown and range from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewhite and pale pink to lavender or light purple\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, usually displaying a prominent \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eviolet to deep purple midstripe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e along each tepal. The flowers often appear nestled among the long upper spines, creating an attractive contrast between the delicate blossoms and the heavily armored body.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flowers are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehermaphroditic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, containing functional stamens and a functional pistil.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoil Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrow in a sharply draining, predominantly mineral substrate consisting of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epumice, coarse grit, decomposed granite, coarse sand, and a modest amount of organic material\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe species is relatively adaptable compared with some highly specialized Mexican cacti, but prolonged moisture around the root system should be avoided. Allow the substrate to dry well between waterings and keep the plant substantially drier during cool winter conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBest suited to approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUSDA Zones 9–11\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Established plants can tolerate \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebrief temperatures around 23°F (-5°C), and potentially somewhat lower when completely dry\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, but prolonged freezes and cold, wet soil should be avoided.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecool, dry winter dormancy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e encourages healthy compact growth and helps stimulate the abundant early-season flowering for which the species is known.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLight Requirements:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThrives in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebright light with several hours of direct sun\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e each day. Strong illumination promotes compact growth, dense spination, and dependable flowering.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn exceptionally hot climates, some \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elight afternoon shade\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e can prevent excessive heat stress while still providing enough sunlight to maintain the plant's natural form and spine coloration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePropagation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePropagation is primarily from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eseed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which is particularly rewarding in this species because seedlings can display considerable natural variation in rib number, spine length, and spine coloration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOlder plants may occasionally produce basal shoots that can be separated and rooted, but offset production is inconsistent. Seed remains the preferred method for producing naturally proportioned specimens and maintaining the diversity characteristic of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStenocactus multicostatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e complex.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector's Note:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe plant historically known as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStenocactus lloydii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was originally described by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose in 1922\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEchinofossulocactus lloydii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It was subsequently transferred to the genus \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStenocactus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and the name \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStenocactus lloydii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e became firmly established among cactus collectors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe epithet \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elloydii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e honors botanist and desert-plant researcher \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrancis Ernest Lloyd (1868–1947)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, whose extensive studies of xerophytic plants included botanical fieldwork in Mexico and the deserts of southwestern North America.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModern taxonomy takes a broader view of these plants. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKew's Plants of the World Online currently places \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStenocactus lloydii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e within the accepted \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStenocactus multicostatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e ssp. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emulticostatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, reflecting the extensive natural variation and morphological intermediates found throughout the species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor horticultural purposes, we retain the designation \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStenocactus multicostatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e f. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elloydii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e for plants displaying the characteristic \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elong, flattened, often papery spines historically associated with lloydii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This form name is especially useful because it communicates a recognizable phenotype that would otherwise be lost under the much broader name \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStenocactus multicostatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eThis is for one plant similar to the one shown growing in a 4\" inch container shipped bare root. All of our plants are guaranteed pest-free and healthy upon delivery, and we ship within the United States. Shipping is done Monday thru Friday.\u003cbr\u003eAny questions please ask.\u003cbr\u003e#prsucculents\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Phoenix Rising Succulents","offers":[{"title":"4 Inch","offer_id":47336741896361,"sku":null,"price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0217\/7391\/0096\/files\/20260720_174130.jpg?v=1786306631","url":"https:\/\/prsucculents.com\/products\/stenocactus-multicostatus-f-lloydii-long-spined-brain-cactus-mexican-collector-cactus","provider":"Phoenix Rising Succulents","version":"1.0","type":"link"}