Family: Cactaceae
Habitat: Rocky and arid environments in northern Brazil.
Cultivation: Not so easy: check the tips below!
Curiosity: This genus was named after the brazilian botanist Arrojado Lisboa.

KEY FEATURES

Arrojadoa are rare cacti native from rocky habitats in northern Brazil. They were named after the brazilian botanist Arrojado Lisboa.

These cacti have a rather slender and long stem, which can be erect or prostrate depending on the species. They reach a maximum diameter of 5 centimeters and a maximum height of 2 meters. These stems are divided in several ribs, on the top of which the thorns develop. The fragility of their stem is the reason why, in their natural environment, Arrojadoa grow leaning on other taller shrubs. When these plants reach maturity, at the top of their stem appears a flashy Cephalium, which consists in a thick reddish, upright and rigid hair.

A cephalium is like an abnormal stem or organ, usually covered with bristles, thorns or hair, which grows right on top of many cactaceae and resembles a strange colored head, clearly distinguishable from the rest of the plant. Cephaliums can be really diverse in different cacti, depending on the species and the genus they belong to, and so it becomes a really important distinctive character of the various genuses of cacti.

When the plant blooms, the inflorescence develops right from the cephalium. In the Summer, in fact, marvellous, tubular, fleshy flowers blossom at the top of the cephalium. They open at night can be pink, red, or yellow depending on the species.

VARIETY AND TYPES

Here below are a few species of Arrojadoa. Check our online store to find out more ones!

• Arrojadoa dinae
• Arrojadoa heimenii
• Arrojadoa marylaniae
• Arrojadoa penicillata
• Arrojadoa rhodantha

TIPS FOR GROWING

Arrojadoa are not the easiest cacti to grow. Anyway, following a few tips, they can give you satisfaction.

• First of all, they should be put in a bright spot in Winter, as long as it is also sheltered from the wind and with a minimum temperature of 10ºC.
• Water once a week from March to October and be sure to wait always for the soil to dry up before each watering. In Winter the irrigation should be suspended.
• During the growth season, if possible, fertilize with a standard fertilizer for succulents once every 3 weeks, diluting it in the irrigation water, following the istruction in the label of the product.
• The substreate should be very well-drained: a cactus mix will do good.

The propagation of Arrojadoas is usually carried out by seeds or either by apical cuttings.