Starburst Cactus

This small cactus grows up to 10 feet (3.0 meters) tall. It splits at the base to form 3 thick stems. Each stem is pink-red, and is covered in thick sheets of rigid olive spines.

It is very fast growing, taking 5 months to reach maturity. Once mature, several flowers with petals that are lilac at the sides and turquoise at the center grow at the top, reappearing once every 4 years. The flower head is shaped like a star with 21 widely spaced, narrow petals. It has a scent that varies in strength that smells like grass cuttings.

The cactus's skin is delicate, the indigo flesh is rubbery, and the aquamarine sap is thin.