Selenicereus grandiflorus (L.) Britton & Rose

  • Authority

    Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro. 2005. Vines and climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 51: 1-483.

  • Family

    Cactaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Selenicereus grandiflorus (L.) Britton & Rose

  • Description

    Description - Liana with numerous lateral branches, which climbs by aerial roots, attaining 6 m in length. Stems fleshy, 2-2.5 cm in diameter, cylindrical. with 5-8 ribs; areoles prominent, along the ribs, covered with spines and whitish lanate hairs, the spines acicular, 5-8 mm long, yellowish, in groups of 5. Flowers solitary, pendulous, axillary to the group of spines or terminal, 15-18 cm long; perianth infundibuliform, the tube elongate, densely lanate outside; outer tepals linear, salmon-colored; inner tepals whitish, obovate; stamens numerous, in two series, inserted. Berry ovoid, red or yellowish, ca. 8 cm long; seeds numerous, minute, black, covered with a white pulp.

    Phenology - Collected in flower in June.

    Conservation Status - Exotic, cultivated and naturalized, locally common.