Update:
I am very happy to maintain this thread here. Though, with the discovery that this may indeed be a threatened native species here in Florida, I have sent photos to our Department of Agriculture. I am, hoping they can provide a positive identification. I will continue to post updates here as I have them. To me, this has become an exciting mystery! I may get involved in regional conservation work!
I am sorry for the terrible post yesterday. I am not sure why I thought I could get decent pictures in the middle of a rain storm.
New photos are posted below this post, as a reply.
The youngest offsets of plant one seem to have five (5) ribs per plant and the same on plant two each seem to have four (4) ribs- whereas, the mature growth on both plants all have three (3) ribs.
I have added/made other edits to this initial post for clarity.
Additionally, I learned today that Acanthocereus tetragonus is Native to Florida and is on Florida's threatened species list!
If this is Acanthocereus tetragonus, then I have random unrooted pieces laying around my yard. I may ask someone from the state or a local university to help identify it and perhaps I can do some conservation work!
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This cactus, I think may be an Acanthocereus tetragonus or a Cereus species(?). It has a generally columnar form.
I found (plant 1) this cactus in a pot on the side of the house in South Florida, when we bought our house.
It is fairly prolific and keeps sending out offshoots at the base of the plant.
It may be, but is not necessarily, the same species as another growing behind my house (plant 2).
Plant 2 is growing so tall that it has stems intertwining a tree in my neighbors yard.
I am looking for an ID on both plants (which may be the same). Pictures of plant two are a section I already cut down from atop my house. It is pouring rain here now and I can't get a decent picture up in the trees and over the house. I'll try to get more/better photos tomorrow, if it isn't raining. I appreciate any help you can provide.
Pictures of plant 1:
Pictures of plant 2:
UPDATED with new photos: Acanthocereus tetragonus?
UPDATED with new photos: Acanthocereus tetragonus?
Last edited by jnspire on Thu Apr 13, 2023 7:57 pm, edited 13 times in total.
Re: Cereus or Acanthocereus sp.?
UPDATE: Here are the new photos - below
Looking at these now, the younger growth has whiter spines.
I am increasingly confident that these are both the same species. I think the previous owner attempted (somewhat poorly) to pot up a section of the plant and forgot about it on the side of the house.
Plant 2 - overhanging house in backyard: ---
Plant 1- Pot on side of house:
Looking at these now, the younger growth has whiter spines.
I am increasingly confident that these are both the same species. I think the previous owner attempted (somewhat poorly) to pot up a section of the plant and forgot about it on the side of the house.
Plant 2 - overhanging house in backyard: ---
Plant 1- Pot on side of house:
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Re: UPDATED with new photos: Acanthocereus tetragonus?
Hylocereus or Selenicereus sp.
Possible polyrhizus or setaceus or hybrid
Possible polyrhizus or setaceus or hybrid
Bryan
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Re: UPDATED with new photos: Acanthocereus tetragonus?
A complete description needs floweres, fruits, and seeds. I have spent up to 10 years IDing some plants but your's is mature so you should rap it up within 1 year.
My acanthocereus here in Central America have considerable variation. It is typical for seedlings to start out very spiny and 6 winged and then transition rapidly to 3 winged. Fllowers and fruit are distictive and very different from pitaya.
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn: ... mes:1646-2
My website is no longer online, but my bud and fruit photos on this site should be of use to you.
My acanthocereus here in Central America have considerable variation. It is typical for seedlings to start out very spiny and 6 winged and then transition rapidly to 3 winged. Fllowers and fruit are distictive and very different from pitaya.
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn: ... mes:1646-2
My website is no longer online, but my bud and fruit photos on this site should be of use to you.
Re: UPDATED with new photos: Acanthocereus tetragonus?
Thank you Leland!leland wrote: ↑Fri Apr 14, 2023 1:37 pm A complete description needs floweres, fruits, and seeds. I have spent up to 10 years IDing some plants but your's is mature so you should rap it up within 1 year.
My acanthocereus here in Central America have considerable variation. It is typical for seedlings to start out very spiny and 6 winged and then transition rapidly to 3 winged. Fllowers and fruit are distictive and very different from pitaya.
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn: ... mes:1646-2
My website is no longer online, but my bud and fruit photos on this site should be of use to you.
I have also sent these photos to the state. If possible, I may send out a sample for genetic identification. I am also on the lookout for flower buds. Though, if this is a night blooming species, I may have trouble catching it anyway. I am hoping the Florida state conservation organization can identify this easily. It is helpful that the plant is mature and that there are young offsets. More to come on this!
It's an exciting adventure for me and keeps getting more interesting the more I learn!
Re: UPDATED with new photos: Acanthocereus tetragonus?
Today, I was connected with a plant curator and cacti expert at the Florida Museum of Natural History.
I am waiting on more information from them as to this plant's ID. I am quite confident that they will be able to provide a positive identification. Still more to come on this!
I am waiting on more information from them as to this plant's ID. I am quite confident that they will be able to provide a positive identification. Still more to come on this!