

Cereus
Botanical name: Cereus
Cereus
Botanical name: Cereus


Description

Cereus are highly distinctive plants. The Latin name Cereus of this genus is derived from the Greek word for "candle" presumably due to cacti in this genus commonly being tall and columnar in form (some grow up to 15 m!). Cereus also tend to have deep ribs and lots of spines along with sporting large, showy flowers, which are usually white, pink, or pale purple in color.


Species of Cereus


Sweetpotato cactus 'Spiralis'
A unique cactus cultivar, sweetpotato cactus 'Spiralis' is a rare cactus with columnar, blue-green stems. It blooms profusely in the summer, bearing white flowers and ornamental red fruits. Sweetpotato cactus 'Spiralis' grows slowly and thus does not often need to be repotted.

Mexican fence post cactus
Mexican fence post cactus (Cereus marginatus) is a cactus native to Central Mexico where it is often cultivated as a living fence. This species is planted as a barrier so frequently throughout Mexico that it is also called the Mexican fence post cactus. Mexican fence post cactus grows best in well-drained, rocky soil.

Fairy castle cactus
Fairy castle cactus is a miniature cactus that grows as clumps of columnar spires that resemble a castle’s turrets. A spined succulent that grows slowly and blooms only infrequently, it is an extremely popular choice for indoor growing in full-sun locations.

Mandacaru
Mandacaru is a spiny flowering succulent tree that has no leaves. In spring, the blossoms bloom at dusk and wither by the morning. In the past, it has been used for timber and construction or feed for livestock at times of drought; now, it can be used as a living fence or as an ornamental.

Moonlight cactus
Moonlight cactus (Cereus spegazzinii) is a plant species native to Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia. The moonlight cactus is widely distributed in the wild where it grows at the edges of forests and is not considered endangered. This species is often grown in pots and rocky gardens.

Giant club cactus
Cereus repandus (syn. Cereus peruvianus), the Peruvian apple cactus, is a large, erect, thorny columnar cactus found in South America. It is also known as giant club cactus, hedge cactus, dama di anochi (in Papiamento and Wayuunaiki), and kayush. Cereus repandus is an unresearched, under-utilized cactus, grown mostly as an ornamental plant. And it has some local culinary importance. The Wayuu from the La Guajira Peninsula of Colombia and Venezuela also use the inner cane-like wood of the plant in wattle and daub construction.

Hedge cactus
Hedge cactus (Cereus hildmannianus) is a species of cactus that is native to Brazil, Argentina, and other South American countries. Hedge cactus has a tree-like appearance and will grow a woody trunk and branches up to 15 m tall. It produces large white flowers that are nearly 30 cm in diameter.

Blue cereus
Blue cereus (Cereus hexagonus) is a tree-like cactus that can grow to 15 m tall. It has a grayish-green twisted stalk with thorns along the five ridges. It blooms from spring to summer with large white blossoms that open at night. Flowers are funnel-shaped and can be up to 25 cm long. Edible fruits are pale red and ripen in fall. Grows best in full sun with well-drained soil.

Queen of the night
Queen of the night are highly distinctive plants. The Latin name Cereus of this genus is derived from the Greek word for "candle" presumably due to cacti in this genus commonly being tall and columnar in form (some grow up to 15 m!). Queen of the night also tend to have deep ribs and lots of spines along with sporting large, showy flowers, which are usually white, pink, or pale purple in color.

Cereus × roseo-purpureus
Cereus × roseo-purpureus are highly distinctive plants. The Latin name Cereus of this genus is derived from the Greek word for "candle" presumably due to cacti in this genus commonly being tall and columnar in form (some grow up to 15 m!). Cereus × roseo-purpureus also tend to have deep ribs and lots of spines along with sporting large, showy flowers, which are usually white, pink, or pale purple in color.

Care Guide for Cereus





Scientific Classification

Phylum
Vascular plants Class
Dicotyledons Order
Pinks, cacti, and allies Family
Cactuses Genus
Cereus