Phyllocactus anguliger Lemaire 1851
Phyllocactus darrahii K. Schumann 1903
Epiphyllum darrahii (K. Schumann) Britton & Rose 1913
Epiphyllum anguliger (Lemaire) D. Don 1855 Rickrack cactus, moon cactus, queen of the night
Moon cacti are native to central and southern Mexico. The common names "moon cactus" and "queen of the night" refer are because it blooms at night (though flowers may last into the next day). Rickrack cactus refers to the unusual leaflets. Identification: Multiple stems are up to 3′ (1 m) long. Main stems are woody, usually rounded, with branching alternate flattened "leaflets." These plants more closely resemble ferns than most cacti. Flowers are 6-7″ (15-18 cm) long × 4-5″ (10-13 cm) in diameter, with an inner white flower and an outer orange-bronze sepals. Fruits resemble gooseberries. References:
Anderson, Edward F., The Cactus Family, Timber Press, 2001, p. 287 Online References:
FredMiranda.com (great photos!) YouTube (a video of the flowers) Phyllocactus anguliger Lemaire 1851 Phyllocactus darrahii K. Schumann 1903 Epiphyllum darrahii (K. Schumann) Britton & Rose 1913
Epiphyllum anguliger description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020. |
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