Xerophyte

Seeds

2.5-4 mm, smooth.

Description

Long cultivated under the synonym Wilcoxia viperinaSN|8779]]SN|8779]], Peniocereus viperinusSN|8776]]SN|8776]] is a shrubby geophyte cactus with numerous slender branches, to 3 m high. This species shares the slender stems and tuberous roots of some members of that genus. The plant is remarkable among Cereeae in having puberulent stems.

Roots

Tuberous, divided, fleshy, robust. Several storage roots are formed during different years. Aboveground vegetative and generative organs are produced when water becomes available. During this period, as in all geophytes, photosynthates are produced and transported to the tuberous root where they are accumulated in form of starch. During dry season, aboveground organs die.

Note

The Latin epithet 'viperinus', snake-like, refers to the slender elongate stems of the plant.

Flowers

Diurnal, bright pink to glossy red, borne laterally on the stems, bright red, to 9 cm long, and 4 cm in diameter. Spines of ovary and corolla-tube black, bristle-like, intermixed with long white wool.

Blooming Season

Summer.

Spines

About 8-12, dark grey to black. Central spines3-4, to 6 mm (0.2 in) long, soon deciduous. Radial spines, 8-9, shorter (c. 4 mm long), flattened against the stem surface.

Ribs

About 6-10, very low, inconspicuous.

Stem

Elongated, trailing, branching, grey-green, 8-20 mm in diameter and becoming spineless. Branches densely velvety-pubescent, 8 mm in diameter or less. Stem is narrow and less succulent than in most other Cactaceae.

Fruits

Pear shaped.

Areoles

Small 1-3 cm apart.