Arthrocereus bylesianus
Kakteen (H. Krainz) 1972 Jan 1972
Family
Cactaceae
Genus
Species
Arthrocereus bylesianus
Author
(Andreae & Backeb.) Buxb. in Krainz
Chinese genus
关节柱属
Chinese name
-
Primary
Accepted
DescriptionEdit description
Habit
Small, branching basally to form small clumps with several stems.
Description
Pygmaeocereus bylesianusSN|3846]]SN|3846]] is a diminutive columnar cactus with short, dense rust-coloured spines and remarkably beautiful white nocturnal flowers which open for just a single night. In common with some other night-flowering species, the flowers have a rather strange but not unpleasant scent, which would no doubt attract the pollinating insect.
Roots
Large tuberous and fleshy.
Flowers
Nocturnal, wide funnelform, white, to 6 cm long. Floral tubes very slender. The perfume and long, narrow flower tube suggest that the natural pollinator must be a long-tongued moth.
Spines
Numerous, dark, changing to grey with age, radiating, 4-5 mm long.
Ribs
12-14, wavy, notched at first, then forming distinct tubercles.
Stem
Short cylindrical, dark green, up to 8(-15) cm tall and 2 cm in diameter.
Fruits
Globose to pear-shaped.
Areoles
Round white felted.