Hylocereus undatus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Selenicereus undatus subsp. luteocarpus
• Hylocereus undatus
• Harrisia undata
• Cereus tricostatus
• Cereus undatus
• Hylocereus tricostatus
• Hylocereus undatus subsp. luteocarpus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic placement puts it in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it is a member of the family Cactaceae, falling under the genus Selenicereus and the species undatus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a distinct distribution pattern across several Mediterranean and Atlantic territories. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found inhabiting the Baleares and Sardegna. Its range extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically within the region of Sicilia. Furthermore, the species is present in Northern Africa, particularly in Tunisia. Finally, its geographical footprint reaches Macaronesia, where it is located among the Canary Is.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Selenicereus undatus is characterized by a broad elevational distribution, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 152 m AMSL. This species is frequently found within anthropic areas (Área Antrópica), indicating an ability to adapt to human-modified landscapes and disturbed environments. Furthermore, the plant possesses active biological defense mechanisms, as indicated by its capacity for defense, which likely aids in its survival against herbivory within its ecological niche.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

152 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Selenicereus undatus are characterized by a stable chromosomal configuration, specifically featuring a diploid genome. The species possesses a chromosome number of 22, which defines its ploidy level as 2. This diploid nature serves as a fundamental genetic blueprint, influencing the plant's reproductive mechanisms and its capacity for genetic variation within its natural and cultivated habitats.

Chromosome number :

22

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Selenicereus undatus is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence in its habitat. As an evergreen species, it maintains its foliage throughout the year, providing continuous photosynthetic activity and structural density without the seasonal shedding seen in deciduous varieties. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and constant greenery supports its slow but steady growth patterns and its ability to undergo repeated reproductive cycles over many years.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Selenicereus undatus is characterized by a diverse growth habit that ranges from a shrub-like form to a substantial tree structure, depending on its environmental context. It functions as a terrestrial plant, exhibiting a climbing nature as a vine that can also be self-supporting. Its shoot orientation is primarily scandent, allowing it to ascend through surrounding vegetation. While the plant can be non-woody in certain stages or forms, it achieves significant verticality, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 15 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 6.5 m. Furthermore, the species exhibits holoepiphytic tendencies, meaning it can grow entirely upon other plants, though it remains an independent organism rather than a parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

holoepiphyte

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

6.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Shoot orientation :

scandent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Selenicereus undatus is characterized by distinct morphological dimensions and specific nutrient acquisition strategies. The foliage exhibits significant variability in size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 15 cm to a maximum of 25 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 15 cm and a maximum of 25 cm, contributing to the plant's overall surface area for metabolic processes. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the physiological mechanisms to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form through specialized nodules or microbial associations.

Leaf length max:

25 cm

Leaf length min:

15 cm

Leaf width max:

25 cm

Leaf width min:

15 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Selenicereus undatus is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on bats to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The flowering process typically commences in April and continues through July, featuring large, green flowers that range in length from 15 cm to a maximum of 27 cm and in width from 15 cm to 20 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant develops a pink-colored fruit classified as a berry. These fruits are indehiscent and vary in size, with a mean length of 9.5 cm (ranging from 5 cm to 12.5 cm) and a width ranging from 4 cm to 9 cm. The seeds produced within the fruit are notably minute, maintaining a consistent mass of approximately 0.00137 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Flower colour :

green

Flower length max:

27 cm

Flower length min:

15 cm

Flower width max:

20 cm

Flower width min:

15 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit colour :

pink

Fruit length max:

12.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

9.5 cm

Fruit length min:

5 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width max:

9 cm

Fruit width min:

4 cm

Pollination syndrome :

bat

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.00137 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Selenicereus undatus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. Plant disease

Chemicals

Selenicereus undatus has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CALCIUM, CHLOROGENIC ACID, FAT.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

Phenolic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

RUTIN

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Selenicereus undatus has 238 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Analgesic.

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Selenicereus undatus has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include peel extract, pulp and peel extracts, pulp extract.

Peel extract

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Pulp and peel extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Pulp extract

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)