Xerophyte

Central Spines

1-4, up to 2 cm. dark brown or black8 to 12, brown

Note

Praecereus saxicolaSN|7705]]SN|7705]] |SN|7705]]

he generic name of this member of the cactaceae family commemorates William Spencer Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire, who had a magnificent collection of plants at Chatsworth.

Flowers

The flowers with slender tube arid broad limb arise from near the top on the sides of the stems. They are 10 to 13 cm long, 6-10 cm in diameter, the tube 5 to 6 cm long. Outer perianth-segments pinkish or greenish. Inner perianth-segments white; ovary small, bearing a few very small scales, these broader than long, with minute brown chartaceous tips, their axils naked.

Ribs

7-9(-10), low and rounded.

Stem

Suberect, arching or clambering, branching at base, pale green to dark green, 2-3 cm in diameter. The fast-growing stems can reach a height of 1-4,5 metres as they ramble on the ground or work their way through tree branches.

Radial Spines

6-10 short, acicular to bristle-like, yellowish brown.

Fruits

Globular to ellipsoidal, 5-7 cm long, 4-5 cm in diameter, red. Flower-tube rigid after anthesis, withering on the fruit.

Areoles

Small, about 5-15 mm apart.