![]() | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
Disocactus crenatus | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Flower | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Cactaceae |
Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
Tribe: | Hylocereeae |
Genus: | Disocactus |
Species: | D. crenatus |
Binomial name | |
Disocactus crenatus (Lindl.) M.Á.Cruz & S.Arias | |
Synonyms [1] | |
|
Disocactus crenatus, commonly known as the crenate orchid cactus, is a species of cactus cultivated for its large flowers. It is a critical parent plant in creating epiphyllum hybrids commonly cultivated worldwide. [2]
The stem is erect to ascending, and profusely branched. The primary stems are terete (tapering at both ends) and 3-angled for a short portion at the base, becoming ligneous (woody) and flat for most of their length. The secondary stems are flat, with flattened portions being 60-centimetre long (24 in), 6–10-centimetre wide (2.4–3.9 in), and stiff and rather succulent. The phylloclades are lanceolate to long linear, acute or obtuse, median nerve rather thick, margins deeply or coarsely crenate, lobes oblique; areoles at the bases of stems sometimes bearing hairs or small bristles, internodes (plant stem part between nodes) narrow or broad. The epidermis is green or gray-green and smooth.
The flowers are up to 18–29-centimetre long (7.1–11.4 in) and 15–20-centimetre wide (5.9–7.9 in). The species is nocturnal but may remain open for several days, becoming quite fragrant. The outer tepals are inserted within 2 cm of the receptacle apex, 10–12 cm long, broadly oblanceolate to linear, greenish yellow to tawny yellow or reddish amber. The outermost tepals are sometimes margined in red or streaked. The inner tepals are as long as outer tepals, spathulate to oblanceolate, acuminate to mucronate, white, creamy white, or greenish yellow. The Pericarpel (hypanthium) is 5-angled, 3 cm long, 1.5-1.7 cm thick, with acute, long-decurrent podaria, bracteoles (small bracts) subtening (2-8) spines up to 7 mm long, and green in color. The receptacle is 10–12 cm long, about 1.5 cm thick at its middle, and green (or often reddish) at the apex, or reddish throughout. It bears numerous linear to oblong keeled bracteoles. The bracleoles are 2–3 cm long and appear in a spread formation. The nectaries are about 3–4 cm long, stamens numerous, declinate, [3] shorter than the tepals, inserted in two zones, the lower one about 4 cm long, from a point about 4 cm from the ovary chamber, the upper zone forming a throat circle about 2 cm above, filaments 5–7 cm long, pale yellow or pale greenish-yellow; style 15–20 cm long, as long or longer than stamens, 2–3 mm thick, widest at base. The 8 or 9 stigma lobes are white and papillose. The fruit is oblong to globose (globe-shaped), the podaria are long, decurrent, and acute.
This subspecies differs from the typical variety by: 4–6 cm wide stems, usually semicircular lobes; pericarpel and receptacle subterete (tapering at the bottom) in cross-section; pericarpel with subconical (somewhat cone shaped at the bottom) or obtuse, shortly decurrent podaria and with bracteoles subtending ca 6 (0-20) spines up to 12 mm long; outer tepals usually inserted within 4–8 cm of tube apex; fruit globose, the podaria short and decurrent, and obtuse.
The epithet crenatus denotes crenations (wavy-toothed) and refers to the crenated stem margins. The subspecies epithet kimnachii honors Myron Kimnach (1922-2018), a botanist mainly working with epiphytic cacti and Crassulaceae, and for many years working at the University of California, Berkeley, and Huntington Gardens. Kimnach was director of the Huntington Botanical Gardens for 25 years. He also edited the Cactus and Succulent Journal for the Cactus and Succulent Society of America and was Managing Editor of its peer-reviewed technical yearbook, Haseltonia for ten years. [4]
This species is distinct. The flowers of Epiphyllum grandilobum are similar, but the stem morphology is quite different. Relationships and generic limits in the tribe Hylocereeae have long been unclear. A molecular phylogenetic study in 2016 showed that this species, which was then placed in the genus Epiphyllum, was firmly nested within Disocactus . [5]
The natural range of Disocactus crenatus spans from Mexico, specifically encompassing Oaxaca and Chiapas, down to Honduras and Panama. [6] It thrives as an epiphytic species, exhibiting a propensity to grow upon other plants, or alternatively, as a lithophytic entity, establishing itself on rocky surfaces. Flourishing within moist or damp forest settings, it occasionally takes root within oak forests. Its elevation typically ranges between 1,330 to 2,500 meters above sea level. [7]
This species was shown at an exhibition at the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden in 1844, and won the highest medal for a new introduction. It had been collected in Honduras five years earlier by Georges Ule Skinner and sent to Sir Charles Lemon who flowered it for the first time in 1843. John Lindley thought it to have originated in the island of Antigua. D. crenatus is the only species of Disocactus that has been used in hybridization to any extent. Most of the colored hybrids have mainly Disocactus genes and are perhaps better referred to as Disocactus hybrids rather than epiphyllum hybrids.
It is an easily cultivated, fast-growing epiphyte. It needs compost containing plenty of humus and sufficient moisture in summer. Should not be kept under 12 °C (53.5 °F) 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.
The cultivar 'Cooperi' resembles D. crenatus subsp. kimnachii, differing only in having the outer petals at the apex of the tube. It was originally reported that 'Cooperi' was a hybrid involving Selenicereus , and Clive Innes stated that he "re-made" the cross between D. crenatus and Selenicereus grandiflorus , obtaining several plants identical to 'Cooperi'. However, it was shown in 1997 that this was not correct, with DNA analysis showing no evidence of Selenicereus. [8]
Epiphyllum is a genus of epiphytic plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), native to Central America and South America. Common names for these species include climbing cacti, orchid cacti and leaf cacti, though the latter also refers to the genus Pereskia.
Orchid cactus is an English name for a plant which may refer to:
Disocactus is a genus of epiphytic cacti in the tribe Hylocereeae found in Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. It should not be confused with Discocactus, which is a different genus.
Selenicereus undatus, the white-fleshed pitahaya, is a species of the genus Selenicereus in the family Cactaceae and is the most cultivated species in the genus. It is used both as an ornamental vine and as a fruit crop - the pitahaya or dragon fruit.
Disocactus ackermannii commonly called red orchid cactus is an epiphytic cactus from tropical forests in the states of Veracruz and Oaxaca, Mexico. In cultivation, it has been confused with Disocactus × jenkinsonii, a hybrid between D. phyllanthoides and D. speciosus.
Epiphyllum oxypetalum, the Dutchman's pipe cactus, princess of the night or queen of the night, is a species of cactus with a native range from Mexico to Nicaragua. It blooms nocturnally, and its flowers wilt before dawn. Though it is sometimes referred to as a night-blooming cereus, it is not closely related to any of the species in the tribe Cereeae, such as Selenicereus, that are more commonly known as night-blooming cereus. All Cereus species bloom at night and are terrestrial plants; Epiphyllum species are usually epiphytic.
Selenicereus hamatus is a species of Cactaceae and produces one of the largest flowers in the family. It is a cultivated ornamental vine. The species is native to Mexico.
Aporocactus flagelliformis, the rattail cactus, is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family Cactaceae, and is the more cultivated of the two species in the genus Aporocactus. Due to its ease of cultivation and attractive floral displays, it is often grown as an ornamental potted plant.
Disocactus phyllanthoides, the nopalxochitl or German empress, is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family Cactaceae. It is commonly grown as an ornamental houseplant. It is one of the three major species involved in creating the widely grown epiphyllum hybrids or "epis". The others are Disocactus speciosus and Disocactus crenatus.
Disocactus × jenkinsonii is a hybrid between Disocactus phyllanthoides and Disocactus speciosus. It is perhaps the most commonly grown orchid cactus and seems to survive and flower under most conditions. It has a very complex taxonomic history and has been mistaken for Disocactus ackermannii for a long time.
Selenicereus anthonyanus is a cactus species native to southern Mexico. It is grown as an ornamental because of its nocturnal flowers and unusual, leaf-like stems. Common names include fishbone cactus, rickrack cactus, zig-zag cactus and St. Anthony's rickrack, and is sometimes referred to as an orchid cactus.
Selenicereus spinulosus is a cactus species native to eastern Mexico and, possibly, the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas in the United States. Common names include vine-like moonlight cactus and spiny moon cereus. Its specific name, spinulosus, means "with small spines" in Latin.
Disocactus anguliger, commonly known as the fishbone cactus or zig zag cactus, is a cactus species native to Mexico. The species is commonly grown as an ornamental for its fragrant flowers in the fall.
Epiphyllum laui is a cactus species native to Mexico and grown as an ornamental.
Selenicereus megalanthus, synonym Hylocereus megalanthus, is a cactus species in the genus Selenicereus that is native to northern South America, where it is known, along with its fruit, by the name of pitahaya. The species is grown commercially for its yellow fruit, but is also an impressive ornamental climbing vine with perhaps the largest flowers of all cacti.
Epiphyllum pumilum is a cactus species native to Mexico and Guatemala. The species is commonly grown as an ornamental for its beautiful, fragrant flowers in the summer.
Selenicereus grandiflorus is a cactus species originating from the Antilles, Mexico and Central America. The species is commonly referred to as queen of the night, night-blooming cereus, large-flowered cactus, sweet-scented cactus or vanilla cactus. The true species is extremely rare in cultivation. Most of the plants under this name belong to other species or hybrids. It is often confused with the genus Epiphyllum.
The Hylocereeae are a tribe of cacti. Most are found in the tropical forests of Central and northern South America, and are climbers or epiphytes, unlike most cacti. The tribe includes between six and eight genera in different circumscriptions. The plants known as "epiphyllum hybrids" or "epiphyllums", widely grown for their flowers, are hybrids of species within this tribe, particularly Disocactus, Pseudorhipsalis and Selenicereus, less often Epiphyllum, in spite of the common name.
Epiphyllum hybrids, epiphyllums, epicacti, or just epis, also known as orchid cacti, which are widely grown for their flowers, are artificial hybrids derived primarily from species of the genus Disocactus. These Disocactus species are not true epiphyllums, but they used to be included in the genus Epiphyllum.
Reidmorania occidentalis is a succulent plant in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) native to the state of Sinaloa in Mexico. It is within the monotypic genus Reidmorania, which is named after botanist Reid Moran, who was notable for his research in the Crassulaceae family.