Species recognition
Acanthocereus crypticus was described by González-Zamora and colleagues from western Mexican material. The Jalisco populations had been associated with A. rosei for more than 45 years. In the chloroplast DNA analysis, the Jalisco material belonged to a different lineage from A. rosei in Sinaloa. Stem diameter, epidermal mottling and reproductive morphology also supported the separation. [González-Zamora et al. 2026, pp. 1–4, 6, 8]
The name and scope of this account follow the original 2026 species description. The list of 17 accepted species of the genus in POWO, checked on 12 October 2026, did not yet include this new name. [González-Zamora et al. 2026, protologue, pp. 6, 10–11, POWO 295870-2, 12.10.2026] [2-WWW]
Stem and root structure
The plant forms a semi-erect or decumbent shrub reaching up to 2.4 m in height. The root is tuberous. Juvenile stems have 3–4 ribs. Adult stems are cylindrical, dull green and slightly mottled. They may become pale pink or purple during the dry season. Areoles on adult stems are spaced 2.7–4.6 cm apart. [González-Zamora et al. 2026, pp. 6, species description]
Each areole bears 4–6 short central spines. The middle spine points outward or downward. Two radial spines are appressed to the lower part of the areole. The diagnosis emphasizes the slender cylindrical stem and slight epidermal mottling, assessed together with the characters of juvenile growth. [González-Zamora et al. 2026, pp. 6, species description]
Flowers and fruits
The funnel-shaped flowers open for a single night. They are 9–11 cm long, with cream to white inner tepals. In the described population, flowering occurs from May to June and fruiting from July to mid-September. The fruits are pear-shaped or oblong, dark red and pink. They retain areoles bearing small spines. [González-Zamora et al. 2026, pp. 6]
Habitat and conservation
The species occurs on the coast of Jalisco in tropical deciduous and subdeciduous forests. The authors knew two localities and estimated approximately 100 reproductively mature plants and 150 juveniles. They proposed the Critically Endangered category, CR, under IUCN criteria. This is the assessment presented in the species description. [González-Zamora et al. 2026, pp. 6–9]