Selenicereus alliodorus

Name and identification

The current combination Selenicereus alliodorus was published in 2018. The original 2014 description used the name Weberocereus alliodorus. The plant has spreading epiphytic stems approximately 4–5 m long, with three, occasionally four acute ribs. Areoles produce both rigid spines and thinner bristle-like spines. [2-WWW] [Gómez-Hinostrosa and Hernández 2014, POWO77201801-1, protolog pp.250,253]

Nocturnal flower and fruit

Flowers were described as nocturnal, fragrant and (12–)14–15.5 cm long. The inner tepals are whitish cream. Ripe fruits become green to greenish yellow and contain white mucilaginous pulp. Their strong onion-like smell provided the basis for the species epithet. The authors recorded consumption of the fruits by local people. [Gómez-Hinostrosa and Hernández 2014, pp.253–254]

Habitat and field observations

The protologue documented two localities 7 km apart on the southern slopes of the Sierra Madre del Sur in Oaxaca, at 950–1240 m elevation. Plants grew on an unidentified fig species in dense, relatively moist patches of semi-evergreen forest. The trees provided shade for coffee plantations. The authors located six individuals. This describes the survey reported in the publication rather than a current census of the entire population. [Gómez-Hinostrosa and Hernández 2014, pp.254]

Flowering was recorded in January and February, with fruiting in March and April. The authors report easy propagation by cuttings without specifying a rooting procedure or conditions. Compared with former Weberocereus glaber, now Selenicereus glaber, they highlight more numerous and longer rigid spines and the presence of bristle-like stem spines. [Gómez-Hinostrosa and Hernández 2014, pp.254–255]