Nyctocereus
From M&J Cactus Wiki
| Nyctocereus | |
|---|---|
| File:Nyctocereus serpentinus.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Echinocereeae |
| SubTribe | |
| Genus | Nyctocereus |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Slender, nocturnal-flowering cacti often called "Queen of the Night." |
Etymology
The name is derived from the Greek nyktos (night) and Cereus, referring to its nocturnal blooming habit.
Description
Nyctocereus consists of slender, clambering, or semi-erect cacti that often grow under the shade of trees.
- Stems: Cylindrical, relatively thin (2-5 cm), and can grow very long, often needing support from surrounding vegetation. They have many low ribs.
- Spines: Short, needle-like, and usually dense on young growth.
- Flowers: Spectacular, large, and funnel-shaped. They are typically white, highly fragrant, and open only at night.
- Fruits: Globose to ovoid, fleshy, and often reddish when ripe, covered with small spines that eventually fall off.
Distribution
- 'Mexico: Widely distributed in the central and southern regions.
- 'Central America: Found in parts of Guatemala and Nicaragua.
Species List
Following the classification of Joël Lodé (2015):
- Nyctocereus chontalensis
- Nyctocereus oaxacensis
- Nyctocereus serpentinus (Type species)
- Nyctocereus serpentinus subsp. splendens (Note: Lodé sometimes treats this as a variety or synonym, but listed as 4 main species types in some registers; stick to the 4 recognized types in his index.)
