Cereus forbesii (Forbes cactus)

Cereus repandus 'Petra' is a distinctive compact cultivar characterized by both monstrose and cristate growth. Its thick green stems develop irregular folds, knobs, distorted ribs, and short crested sections, producing dense sculptural forms that may vary considerably from one branch to another. Pale woolly areoles and slender reddish-brown to golden-brown spines accent the strongly contorted surface. The combination of irregular monstrose branching and occasional fan-like crests gives each specimen an individual, almost coral-like appearance. 'Petra' remains considerably more compact than the normal columnar form of Cereus repandus and is particularly valued as a container specimen for its unusual architecture.