Xerophyte

Seeds

2 x 1,5 mm, black.

Description

Selenicereus anthonyanus (formerly Cryptocereus anthonyanusSN|10701]]SN|10701]]) is a perennial climbing succulent, forming branches in clusters. The stems are flat, like an Epiphyllum, but with alternate projections on each side. The stems can grow up to 50 cm or more, and often curved downwards. It is very difficult to get to bloom, but if one is lucky the results are spectacular, the nightblooming flowers have white, pink and red petals and are very beautiful. The buds are big 10 cm long and the flowers are huge 15 or more cm wide and sweetly scented. S. anthonyanus is an isolated species with no close allies, Selenicereus chrysocardium seems to be the closest relative. Two other epiphytic cacti from other genera show similar strongly notched flat stems and which, when not in flower, are not readily distinguishable from this species

Note

This species is named for Dr. Harold E. Anthony who first flowered this species in June 1950.Stems; Scandent or climbing, bright green, to yellowish green, smooth to 1 m or more long, 7-15 cm wide, somewhat tapered and rounded apically, flat with few aerial roots and deeply lobed, the lobes 2.5-4.5 cm long, 1-1.6 cm wide, rounded at apex. Branches in clusters at intervals along the stem.

Flowers

Nocturnal fragrant, cream colored, 10-12 cm long, 10-20 cm in diameter. Pericarpels 15–20 mm long, with many small tubercles bearing olive green bracteoles 1–2 mm long, their axils with grey wool, greyish-brown bristles and stout, pale brown spines, 1–3 mm long.Receptacle 3–4 cm long, 1–5 cm across, cylyndrical, bracteoles 3–6 mm long, ovate-lanceolate, the lowermost with wool and bristles, the upper naked, the uppermost 8–10 mm long, madder purple. Outer tepals outermost 1–2 cm long, similar to bracteoles, inner 6 cm long, spreading-recurved, lanceolate, purple; intermediate tepals 5, lanceolate, acute; inner tepals ca 10, 6 cm, lanceolate-acute, erect-spreading, cream, outermost cream with lower margins purple. Stamens short, 15 mm long, yellowish. Style 6,5–7 cm long, 6 mm thick above the throat, in the throat abruptly contracted to 4mm thick, cream, stigma lobes 12-14, lanceolate, 16–18 mm long.

Blooming Season

S. anthonyanus blooms only once a year, however, and only for one night in late spring or early summer. It is common that specimens rare or never flower, but when they do so, they are usually rootbound in poor soil, then can produce many blossoms, which begin to open right at dusk, releasing a pleasing fragrance intended to attract nocturnal pollinators. Pollination in this species is not completely understood, but it is believed that bats are responsible for pollination.Fruit; Ovoid, 6 x 5 cm long, fragrant, areoles 4 mm with spines 1–2 cm, dark green.

Spines

3, short.

Areoles

Small, recessed in the sinus near the central nerve.