Xerophyte

Seeds

Dark-brown to blackish, pitted, obovoid.

Description

Pfeiffera monacanthaSN|4607]]SN|4607]] is a slow growing and compact epiphytic shrub, freely branching. The spiny growth is both erect and triangular at first, later flat and pendent. This species produces minute waxy-orange blooms at every areole followed by small, round, waxy fruit that decorate the plant for months. Two subspecies are recognized, the nominate form and subsp. kimnachii (Doweld) Ralf Bauer.

Note

The epithet monacanthum (Latin 'monacanthus,-a,-um'), “with one spine”, refers to the areoles often bearing only one spine.

Flowers

Solitary at the areoles, borne laterally on upper segments near the shoot tips, waxy-orange, 1-1-5 cm long and to 2 cm in diameter. Pericarpels cup-shaped (± conical). Stamens numerous, c. 40-100, filaments and anthers white or whitish/cream. Pericarpel angled, sharply differentiated from perianth, tuberculate, with small scales, naked, but bristles and felt are occasionally developed. Hypanthium (receptacle tube) not developed.

Spines

1 to 6, but usually only 1 or 2, stout, sharp, black, 5 to 10 mm long, also a few bristles.

Stem

Branches flat to three-angled, and thin, linear-oblong, 2-3 cm broad, sometimes 45 cm long, obtuse, cuneate at base. Margin serrate. Apex acuminate or obtuse. Adventitious roots lacking.

Fruits

Spherical more or less translucent, veiny, orange or pale pink, scaly.

Areoles

White- or yellowish-felted and spiny, superficial, c. 12 mm apart, composite terminal areoles absent.