Xerophyte

Central Spines

One (or any) up to1.5 cm long;

Description

It is a slender shrubby cactus that has a similar form and habitat to the night-blooming cereus (Peniocereus greggiiSN|8088]]SN|8088]]). It puts forth many basal shoots, soon becoming tillered.

Roots

Tuberose and succulent, Even adventitious roots of Monvillea spegazziniiSN|7041]]SN|7041]] become succulent.

Note

These plants frequently produce monstrose crests, and crests occasionally produce normal shoots. The crested variety have spectacular blue marbled stems with pronounced sculpture effects

Flowers

10 to 13 cm in length with a slender tube, reddish outer perianth segments and white inner ones. They arise from near the top on the sides of the stems; buds point upward but curve suddenly downward when the flowers open. They bloom at night.

Ribs

Three to five (usually four) raised angular that have deep incisions similar to indentations along the edge. They are about 3 cm long at the base and bear small areoles at the apex of the protuberances.

Stem

Branched, bluish mottled in purple and green, erect or semi prostrate , up to 1.8 m long or more, 2 cm inches in diameter;

Radial Spines

The Young plants usually have three sharp, blackish spines 5 mm long, two pointing upward and one downward. On the older parts there are five radial and one central spine, 1.5 cm. long.

Fruits

Smooth, red, juicy with persistent perianth remnant that withers slowly and dries attached to the end of the fruit. Flowers.