Hylocereus megalanthus
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| Yellow Pitaya | ||||||||||||||||||
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 Photo: Edward
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| Hylocereus megalanthus (K. Schumann ex Vaupel) Ralf Bauer (2003) Cactaceae Syst. Init. 17: 28 |
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Hylocereus megalanthus is a cactus species native to northern South America. The species is grown commercially for its fruit, but is also an impressive ornamental vine with perhaps the largest flowers of all cacti.
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[edit] Common Names
- English: Yellow Pitahaya
- German: Gelbe Pitaya, Gelbe Pitahaya
- Swedish: gul pitahaya
[edit] Etymology
Megalanthus (Greek) - large flowered. This species produces among of the largest flowers within the cactus family.
[edit] Origin and habitat
Colombia to Peru, Bolivia Ecuador and Venezuela. Riverine forests. Epiphytic or xerophytic.
[edit] Systematics
Closely related to Hylocereus setaceus but otherwice quite isolated within Hylocereus. Is intermediate between Selenicereus and Hylocereus. Recent research suggest that this species originated as a hybrid between species of Hylocereus and Selenicereus (see references). The two species possibly involved, as being native in the same area, are Hylocereus costaricensis and Selenicereus inermis.
[edit] Cultivation
An easily cultivated, fast growing plant. Needs a compost containing plenty of humus and sufficient moisture in summer. Should not be kept under 8ºC (46,5ºF) in winter. Can be grown in semi-shade, but best in full sun. Extra light in the early spring will stimulate budding. Flowers in june to October. This plant grow very large.
[edit] Description
Stems may lie along the ground (procumbent), climb (scandent), or hang (pendent). Stems are often only 1.5cm thick, producing areoal roots; 3 ribs; margins slightly undulating; white areoles; 1-3 spines 2-3mm long, yellowish; several hairs on young growth, britle-like; green epidermis. Flowers are nocturnal and funnel-shaped, 32-38cm long; pericarpel is ovoid or slightly globose, tubercles are large and flattened, with felt-like and spiny areoles subtended by small bracteoles; receptacle elongate; outer tepals long, green, triangular-acute; inner tepals 100cm long, 3.5cm wide, white, broader; stamens numerous inserted in two zones, yellow; style yellow, stigma lobes numerous, green. Fruit: ovoid, tuberculate, spiny, yellow (or sometimes red?); seeds black.
- Hylocereus megalanthus - floral tube or pericarpel 30-38 cm long with large flattened tubercles.
- Hylocereus setaceus - floral tube or pericarpel 19-22 cm with small tubercles.
[edit] References
- Anderson, E. F. (2001). The Cactus Family. Timber Press ISBN 0-88192-498-9
- Bauer, R. (2003) A synopsis of the tribe Hylocereeae F. Buxb. Cactaceae Syst. Init. 17: 3-63.
- Tel-Zur N, Abbo S, Bar-Zvi D, Mizrahi Y. (2004 ) Genetic relationships among Hylocereus and Selenicereus vine cacti (Cactaceae): evidence from hybridization and cytological studies. Ann Bot (Lond) 94(4):527-34.
