Cereus saddianus


Cereus saddianus is a species of cactus native to the seasonally dry areas of Brazil.

Description

Cereus saddianus is a tall, tree-like, semi-decumbent cactus reaching up to 20 ft. Stems are grey, and reach up to 2.5 inches in diameter. Each stems has 8 or 9 wavy ribbed. Areoles have whitish wool and long spines. There is one central spine and 6-7 radial spines per areole. Flowers are white, growing up to 3.2 inches long. Fruits are pinkish, and 2 inches by 1.2 inches.

Distribution

Cereus saddianus is endemic to seasonally dry tropical Mato Grosso

Taxonomy

Cereus saddianus was first described by Rizzini & A.Mattos in the journal Revista Brasil in 1985. The plant was described as Monvillea saddiana. In 1988, the genus Monvillea was moved to cereus. Currently, the name Cereus saddianus is accepted.

Etymology

The genus name Cereus means candle in latin. The epithet saddianus refers to Nagib Saddi, a Brazilian botanist researching plant taxonomy, at the Federal University of Mato Grosso.