Epiphyllum anguliger

Zig Zag Cactus
Photo: Emma Lindahl
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Hylocereeae
Genus: Epiphyllum
Species: E. anguliger
Binomial name
Epiphyllum anguliger
(Lem.) G.Don
Synonyms

Phyllocactus anguliger Lem.
Phyllocactus serratus Brongnart
Phyllocactus angularis Labouret
Phyllocactus darrahii K.Schumann
Epiphyllum darrahii (K.Schumann) Britton & Rose

Epiphyllum anguliger, commonly known as the fishbone cactus, is a cactus species native to Mexico. The species is commonly grown as an ornamental for its beautiful, fragrant flowers in the fall.

The fruit is said to taste like gooseberries

Etymology

This species is named for its deeply toothed stems ("anguliger" = "angle bearing") which sometimes make a perfect rectangle.

History

This plant was first distributed by the Horticultural Society of London which obtained it from the collector, T. Hartweg, in 1846.

Origin and habitat

C & S Mexico (Jalisco, Nayarit, Colima, Guerrero, and Matanego). Epiphytic in evergreen oak forests.

Systematics

A very variable species but rather distinct and recognition of subspecific taxa seems unnecessary. Most closely related to Epiphyllum crenatum and Epiphyllum laui.

Cultivation

An easily cultivated, fast growing epiphyte. Needs a compost containing plenty of humus and sufficient moisture in summer. Should be kept at 16–25 °C (61–77 °F), it may drop to 10–15 °C (50–59 °F) for shorter periods. Best grown in semi-shade. Flowers in late autumn or early winter.

Description

Stems profusely branched, primary stems terete at base, often woody, apical part and secondary stems flat and rather succulent, 20–30 cm long, 3–5 cm wide, deeply lobed, often to near midrib, the lobes rectangular to obtuse or rounded; areoles small nude or with 1-2 white bristles; epidermis green, smooth. Flowers 6–20 cm long, 6–7 cm wide, nocturnal, strongly sweet-scented *; pericarpel with podarium; receptacle 8–16 cm long, 4 mm thick, pale yellow, greenish or pinkish, bracteoles few, minute, linear and green, adpressed; outer tepals 10, linear to linear-lanceolate, acute, spreading or reflexed, 4–5 cm long, lemon yellow to brownish yellow; inner tepals lanceolate to ovate, acute or acuminate, white, sometimes toothed, as long as outer tepals; stamens in two rows, white, erect to subdeclinate, nearly as long as tepals; style longer than inner tepals, white; stigma lobes 8-11, linear. Fruit ovoid, brownish, greenish or yellowish, 3–4 cm thick.

Cultivars & hybrids

WC (REDC) 1997. E. anguliger x 'Bonanza Belle'. Persimon orange, darker at edges, outer tepals rusty orange, overlapping, wide form. Style and stamens light orange. Flower medium-sized. Stems small, flat, deeply lobed.

Collected by Thomas MacDougall in 1967, in Oaxaca, Mexico. Flowers white with a lavender-pink throat.

Flowers shorter than in most clones, 6-7,5 cm long and 12 cm wide. Strong grower and a prolific bloomer.

See also

References

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