Kingdom Plantae Subfamily Cactoideae Scientific name Selenicereus Rank Genus | Family Cactaceae Tribe Hylocereeae Higher classification Hylocereeae Order Caryophyllales | |
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Lower classifications Selenicereus grandiflorus, Selenicereus anthonyanus, Selenicereus spinulosus | ||
Moonlight cacti, genus Selenicereus, is an epiphytic, lithophytic, and terrestrial cactus genus found in Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America.
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Description
Clambering plants with flat to angled stems, producing aerial roots. Areoles may be with or without spines. Flowers are large and nocturnal, pollinated by moths or rarely bats. The receptacle bears small bracts, hairs and usually spines. Fruits bear numerous spines. Flowers are generally produced in abundance with mature plants and are typically white and are very fragrant and only last a single night in most species.
Etymology
The generic name is derived from Σελήνη (Selene), the Greek moon goddess, and cereus, meaning "candle" in Latin, referring to the nocturnal flowers. The term nightblooming cereus is sometimes used here, but this is also used for many night blooming cacti, including Epiphyllum, Hylocereus and Peniocereus.
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