Synonyms:

Opuntia aoracantha
Cereus ovatus
Tephrocactus ovatus
Opuntia pediophila
Tephrocactus pediophilus
Tephrocactus hossei
Opuntia hossei

Habitat:

Native to western Argentina (provinces of, Cordoba, La Rioja, Mendoza and San Juan). As all Tephrocactus grow in extreme heat and arid conditions.

Description:

Tephrocantus aoracanthus grows in groups reaching a size of 30 to 100 centimeters in height. The stem forms ovoid segments of 5 to 10 centimeters and a diameter of 4-8 centimeters. The spines usually appears only on the aureoles in the upper two-third of the segments. The spines are strong, irregular and 2 to 15 centimeters long, are black or dark grey or grey.
This cacti produces large pink-white flowers.

Cultivation:

Tephrocactus aoracanthus is easy to grow, it produces new segments in spring.
It’s cold resistant: the winter safety temperature is 0 ° C (32° F) with dry soil but we suggest to put it in a sheltered and ventilated place.
Needs full sun exposition, with insufficient illumination stems and spines get thinner as a result of the lack of the sun. If you put it indoor , is ideal a south facing window. The recommended soil is a well draining and mineral soil .
Watering during the growing season (spring and summer). Keep dry during the winter

Propagation:

All Tephrocactus cacti naturally grow and form segments, and they can be propagated using this. Cut the segments and place it in a pot and keep it in a warm place until new roots emerge.
Alternative method is by seed.

Curiosity:

The name of the genus Tephrocactus derives from Greek “Tephra” meaning “ash” which refers to the grayish color of epidermis.