Marniera
From M&J Cactus Wiki
| Marniera | |
|---|---|
| File:Marniera chrysocardium.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Phyllocacteae |
| SubTribe | Hylocereinae |
| Genus | Marniera |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015) with reference to Bauer (2003) and Hunt et al. (2006). |
Etymology
Named in honour of Julien Marnier-Lapostolle (1902–1976), French botanist and explorer, associated with the Grand Marnier liqueur.
Description
Marniera is a monotypic genus of highly ornamental epiphytic cacti with unusual flattened stems.
- Habit: Vigorous; climbing and spreading; epiphytic.
- Stems: Flattened phylloclades with long, narrow, deeply lobed segments.
- Growth form: Resembling leaf-like structures; strongly reminiscent of some Epiphyllum species.
- Areoles: Located between lobes.
- Spines: Absent or very reduced.
- Flowers: Nocturnal; large; self-sterile; strongly fragrant.
- Flower shape: Funnel-shaped with long floral tube.
- Flower color: White; outer tepals purplish.
- Reproductive traits: Stamens with bright yellow styles.
- Floral structures: Ovary bearing hairs or bristles.
- Pollination: Likely by moths (Sphingidae) and possibly bats.
- Fruits: Globose; densely spiny; green to grey; with juicy pulp.
- Seeds: Not well documented.
Habitat
Occurs in tropical rainforest ecosystems:
- epiphytic on tree branches
- humid, shaded environments
- associated with ferns, orchids, bromeliads, and other epiphytic cacti
Altitude: lowland tropical zones (exact range insufficiently documented).
Distribution
Mexico:
- Chiapas
- Tabasco
Endemic to a very restricted area (possibly underreported).
Taxonomy
A controversial and unresolved genus.
Key points:
- Originally separated based on ovary bearing hairs or bristles
- Strong morphological similarity to Epiphyllum (especially E. anguliger)
- Often included in Selenicereus (Anderson 2001; Hunt et al. 2006)
- Bauer (2003): highlighted need for molecular studies
- Morphological convergence complicates classification
The genus is provisionally maintained as distinct in Lodé (2015).
Species
Monotypic genus:
Notes
- Exhibits strong convergence with Epiphyllum-like cacti.
- Likely closely related to Selenicereus.
- One of the most ornamental and unusual epiphytic cacti.
- Taxonomic position remains uncertain pending molecular data.
- Represents a classic case where morphology alone is misleading.
