Selenicereus anthonyanus

Taxobox
name = Fish Bone Cactus

---

image_caption = Photo: Floriano Calcagnile
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Caryophyllales
familia = Cactaceae
subfamilia = Cactoideae
tribus = Hylocereeae
genus = "Selenicereus"
species = "S. anthonyanus"
binomial = "Selenicereus anthonyanus"
binomial_authority = (Alexander) D. Hunt
synonyms =
"Cryptocereus anthonyanus"Alexander (1950) Cact. Succ. Journ. US 22:163-166
Selenicereus anthonyanus(Alexander) D. Hunt (1989) Bradleya 7:93

"Selenicereus anthonyanus" is a cactus species native to southern Mexico. It is grown as an ornamental because of its beautiful nocturnal flowers and unusual stems.

Common names

Fish Bone Cactus, Rick Rack Cactus, Zig-zag cactus

Etymology

This species is named for Dr. Harold E. Anthony who first flowered this species in June 1950. The former generic epiptet "Cryptocereus" means literally "hidden cereus". It recalls the fact that the species remained unknown for a long time, even in a region that had been thoroughly investigated.

History

Mr. Thomas MacDougall found this species in 1946. He though he had found a close relative to "Epiphyllum anguliger". When it flowered in the greenhouses of Dr. Harold E. Anthony in Jersey in 1950 it was obvious that this was a great novelty. The species is rarely collected and most plants in cultivation are children of this first collection.

Origin and habitat

Mexico: Chiapas. Epiphytic in rainforests. 700-800 m alt. Seems to be of rare occurrence.

ystematics

This is an isolated species with no close allies. "Selenicereus chrysocardium" seems the 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: these are "Epiphyllum anguliger" and "Weberocereus imitans".

Cultivation

An easily cultivated, fast growing epiphyte. Needs a compost containing plenty of humus and sufficient moisture in summer. Should not be kept under 15ºC (59ºF) in winter. Can be grown in semi-shade or full sun. Extra light in the early spring will stimulate budding. Flowers in late spring or early summer.

Hybrids

*'Corinna Paetz' (S. anthonyanus x 'Feuerauber')
*"×Disoselenicereus" 'Mandarin' by Dr. Stauch (Disocactus x smithii x S. anthonyanus)
*"×Disoselenicereus" 'Noris' by R. Gräser (Disocactus speciosus x S. anthonyanus).
*"'×Disoselenicereus" 'Wormatia' by Dr. Stauch (Disocactus x smithii x S. anthonyanus).

Description

Stems scandent or climbing, branches in clusters at intervals along the stem, to 1 m long or more, 7-15 cm wide, flat with few areal roots; the lobes 25-45 mm long and 10-16 mm wide, somewhat tapered towards the rounded apex; areoles small, near central nerv, spines 3, short; epidermis green to yellowish green, smooth. Flowers 10-12 cm long, (10-) 14-17 (-20) cm in Ø, nocturnal, very fragrant; pericarpel 15-20 mm long, green, bracteoles 1-2 mm long, olive green, their axils with dirty gray wool, grayish-brown bristles and stout, pale brown spines, 1-3 mm long; receptacle 3-4 cm long, 1-5 cm in Ø, terete, 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 6cm long, spreading-recurved, lanceolate, madder purple; intermediate tepals 5, lanceolate, acute; inner tepals ca 10, 6 cm, lanceolate-acute, erect-spreading, cream, outermost cream with lower margins madder purple; stamens short, 15 mm long, yellowish; style 6,5-7 cm long, 6mm thick above the throat, in the throat abruptly contracted to 4mm thick, cream, stigma lobes 12-14, lanceolate, 16-18 mm long. Fruit ovoid, 6 x 5cm long, fragrant, areoles 4 mm with spines 1-2cm, dark green. Seeds 2 x 1,5 mm, black.