Stetsonia coryne - Toothpick cactus

Stetsonia coryne, commonly known as the candelabra cactus or "toothpick cactus", is a majestic columnar cactus native to the arid regions of South America. Valued for its slender habit and prominent thorns, it makes a striking centrepiece in desert gardens and cactus collections. Its bold and robust silhouette, with numerous secondary arms on mature specimens, makes it a sought-after choice for landscaping and indoor cultivation, where it can reach an impressive size with proper care.

Belonging to the Cactaceae family, Stetsonia coryne is the only species in the Stetsonia genus. It thrives mainly in semi-desert areas, particularly in northwestern Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil, where it adapts to extreme drought conditions and poor soils. In its natural habitat, it often grows in sparse groups, sometimes alongside other iconic cacti such as Echinopsis and Cereus. In the wild, it can reach heights of 5 to 8 metres, with main stems around 9 to 10 cm in diameter. Indoors, it will grow to a maximum height of 2 metres. The stems, with a bluish-green hue, are covered with 8 to 9 rounded, well-defined midribs separated by deep furrows. Its growth is slow, but it can develop numerous secondary arms with age, giving the plant a tree-like appearance. The areoles, spaced at regular intervals along the midribs, bear long, rigid, straight thorns, which transition from bright yellow to dark brown as they age. These thorns, measuring up to 5 cm for the central ones and 3 cm for the radial ones, serve a protective role against herbivores and reduce evaporation by casting partial shade on the cactus's epidermis. The flowering of Stetsonia coryne occurs mainly in spring and summer, featuring spectacular nocturnal flowers shaped like funnels, measuring up to 15 cm in diameter. These flowers open at dusk and emit a light fragrance, primarily attracting nocturnal pollinators such as bats and certain moths. After pollination, the plant produces ovoid green to reddish fruits, fleshy and filled with small black seeds, which are locally consumed for their sweet and refreshing taste.

Stetsonia coryne will thrive in a conservatory or a south-facing living room. It pairs well with other columnar cacti, such as Polaskia chichipe and Harrisia tetracantha, or with rosette-shaped plants like Echeveria, creating a striking contrast in form.