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Selenicereus pteranthus (Link ex A.Dietr.)Britton & Rose
Princess-of-the-night
Not native to Florida
An occasional cactus of disturbed hammocks, mostly near the coast in the central and southern peninsula. Also found in the Virgin Islands. Native to Mexico.
This vine-like clambering or pendent cactus can be either terrestrial or epiphytic. The stems are 2.5-5cm (1-2 in.) across with four to six ribs. 1.5-3mm (1/16 to 1/8 in.) diameter areoles are 2-2.5cm (3/4 to 1 in.) apart along the ribs with 1-5 short spines in each. The spines are conical and 1-3mm (less than 1/8 in.) long. The large showy flowers open only at night with white inner tepals and brown, purplish or yellow outer tepals. Fruit is a red sphere 4.5-7cm (1-3/4 to 2-3/4 in.) in diameter, covered in bristle-like yellow spines and hair-like white spines.
Selenicereus pteranthus is a member of the Cactaceae - Cactus family.
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Dec 24, 2023
