Leptocereus


Leptocereus is a genus of cacti that are native to the Greater Antilles. It has been placed in the tribe Leptocereeae or in a broadly defined Echinocereeae.

Description

It is a very rare plant to encounter. The plants themselves are mostly sprawling shrubs, but can also form trees up to 30 feet or more in height. The stems are highly angled; with few large ribs which bear comfortably-spaced areoles that have spine clusters of about 10 spines or so. Some lose spine as they age. Often, the flowers are white or whitish-green and bear spines on raised areoles.

Species

, Plants of [the World Online] accepted the following species:
SubgenusImageScientific nameDistribution
DendrocereusLeptocereus nudiflorus D.Barrios & S.AriasCuba
DendrocereusLeptocereus undulosus D.Barrios & MajureHispaniola
LeptocereusLeptocereus arboreus Britton & RoseSanta Clara, Cuba.
LeptocereusLeptocereus assurgens Britton & RoseCuba
LeptocereusLeptocereus carinatus ArecesCuba
LeptocereusLeptocereus leonii Britton & RoseCuba
LeptocereusLeptocereus scopulophilus ArecesLa Habana, Cuba.
LeptocereusLeptocereus sylvestris Britton & RoseLa Habana, Cuba.
LeptocereusLeptocereus wrightii LeónCuba
NeoabbotiaLeptocereus bayahibensis Hoxey & GdaniecDominican republic
NeoabbotiaLeptocereus cremnophilus Hoxey & GdaniecDominican republic
NeoabbotiaLeptocereus demissus Arecessouthwestern Hispaniola
NeoabbotiaLeptocereus grantianus BrittonPuerto Rico
NeoabbotiaLeptocereus paniculatus D.R.HuntHispaniola
NeoabbotiaLeptocereus quadricostatus Britton & RosePuerto Rico
NeoabbotiaLeptocereus rosei Hoxey & GdaniecDominican republic
NeoabbotiaLeptocereus septentrionalis Hoxey & GdaniecDominican republic
NeoabbotiaLeptocereus velozianus Clase, Y.Encarn., Peguero & MajureHispaniola
NeoabbotiaLeptocereus weingartianus Britton & RoseHispaniola