Totem Pole Cactus, Monstrous Form

Lophocereus schotti is native to the desert regions of mainland Mexico and the Baja California peninsula of Mexico. Small populations also occur in the extreme south of Arizona. The monstrous form is restricted to a small area northeast of El Arco, about halfway down the Baja peninsula. L. schottii mostruosa is a naturally occurring mutation, which, although sterile, continues to survive in the wild. This growth form occurs naturally in at least two wild populations in a very soft sandy and gravely soil. In these two locations the plants persist because stem sections break off periodically and root along the sides to produce new plants. Although online sources state that the monstrous variant does not flower or seed, the placard for this specimen states otherwise. If I visit this botanical gardens in summer and see flowers I'll let you know. There are pseudo spines visible in this footage so perhaps this totem pole is not a complete mutant. The stems of the monstrous variant are often badly weathered with age as there are no spines for protection against scratches and damage. Aside from overwatering and polar vortexes causing frost damage, your greatest problem with the totem pole monster will be finding one to purchase.