Selenicereus monacanthus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cereus venezuelensis
• Hylocereus monacanthus
• Hylocereus polyrhizus
• Hylocereus trinitatensis
• Hylocereus scandens
• Hylocereus estebanensis
• Hylocereus peruvianus
• Cereus scandens var. minor
• Cereus trinitatensis
• Cereus polyrhizus
• Cereus scandens
• Cereus lemairei
• Wilmattea venezuelensis
• Hylocereus lemairei
• Hylocereus venezuelensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Caryophyllales and the family Cactaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Selenicereuus, specifically the species monacanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the tropical regions of the Americas. In Central America, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panamá. Moving toward the Caribbean, the species can also be found inhabiting the island of Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, its distribution extends throughout the various islands of the Venezuelan Antilles. These varied locations highlight the plant's wide ecological reach across both continental and insular environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Selenicereus monacanthus is defined by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to occupy diverse topographical niches within its habitat. This species thrives across a significant elevational gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) to elevations reaching as high as 2000 m AMSL. This extensive vertical range suggests an adaptability to varying environmental pressures, including fluctuations in temperature, atmospheric pressure, and moisture availability associated with different mountain profiles. By spanning from lowland coastal or tropical zones to higher montane regions, the plant can exploit various microclimates, which likely influences its growth patterns and resource acquisition strategies throughout its range.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Selenicereus monacanthus is characterized by its perennial growth habit as a climbing, epiphytic, or lithophytic cactus. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant exhibits a distinctive physiological flexibility regarding its foliage, where its deciduousness is categorized as variable, capable of being both deciduous and evergreen depending on environmental stressors and seasonal shifts. As it matures, the plant extends long, slender, succulent stems that utilize adventitious roots to anchor itself to host trees or rocky substrates, allowing it to ascend toward light sources. Its reproductive cycle is marked by the production of nocturnal blooms, which are essential for its propagation via specialized pollinators. The plant's survival strategy relies heavily on its ability to manage water storage within its stem tissue, transitioning its vegetative state to adapt to fluctuating moisture availability in its native habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Morphology

The morphology of Selenecreus monacanthus is characterized by its growth form as a woody herb that exhibits a self-supporting structure. Although its habitat can range across aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments, it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. As a plant that exhibits obligatory epiphytic tendencies, specifically categorized as a holoepiphyte, it utilizes other structures for support while maintaining its own biological autonomy. Despite its climbing potential, it remains a self-supporting entity, integrating its woody characteristics into a growth habit that distinguishes it from typical vines or lianas.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

holoepiphyte

Epiphyte :

obligatory

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Selenicereus monacanthus is characterized by specialized metabolic pathways adapted to arid environments, including Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) to minimize transpirational water loss through nocturnal carbon dioxide uptake. Its physiological processes are deeply integrated with its structural morphology, utilizing succulent stems for water storage and photosynthetic activity. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium or Frankia, typically found in the root nodules of certain legumes or actinorhizal plants. Consequently, its nitrogen acquisition is dependent on the availability of nitrates and ammonium within the soil substrate rather than atmospheric fixation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Selenicereus monacanthus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include oxalate.

oxalate

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Activities

Selenicereus monacanthus has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Free-Radical Scavenging.

Antioxidant

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology