Family
Cactaceae
Botanical Name
CEREUS apoloensis
Plant Common Name
Cereus, Night-blooming Cactus
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Small white trumpet-shaped flowers grace the skinny, spined stems of Cereus apoloensis. It is native to the arid highlands from Bolivia and Peru southward across southwestern Brazil into northern Argentina.
This tree-like, coarse-branching cactus has starry clusters of short spines. There are no leaves, but the slender, upright green stems photosynthesize sunlight. Each has seven to nine vertical ribs. Its small white flowers are tubular, many petaled and night blooming, though they will remain open up until the early morning hours. They are fragrant and may be pollinated by bees and moths. They give way to small red, smooth-skinned fruits packed with sweet white flesh and tiny black, crunchy seeds. The fruit is edible and tastes like watermelon (if you can get to it before the birds and bats do).
This cactus is for hot, dry conditions but performs better if some irrigation occurs in the heat of summer. Keep the soil very dry in winter. It needs some protection from direct afternoon sun in the low desert, but its fruits grow sweetest in extreme heat. Do not plant outdoors in regions that receive hard frosts in winter. Grow it as a stark, architecturally interesting accent in a spacious rockery or desert xeriscape garden.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
12 - 8
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 14
-
Sunset Zone
12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24
-
Plant Type
Cactus or Succulent
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
-
Height
12'-18' / 3.7m - 5.5m
-
Width
6'-12' / 1.8m - 3.7m
-
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
-
Native To
South America, Argentina, Brazil
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
-
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
-
Soil type
Loam, Sand
-
Tolerances
Drought
-
Growth Rate
Fast
-
Water Requirements
Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant
-
Habit
Upright/Erect
-
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
White
-
Fruit Color
Red
-
Fragrant Flowers
Yes
-
Fragrant Fruit
Yes
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Semi-Double
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
Yes
-
Edible Fruit
Yes
-
Showy Foliage
No
-
Evergreen
Yes
-
Showy Bark
No
