Discocactus
Discocactus heptacanthus
Cactus family (Cactaceae)
The most beautifully scented cactus in the world
Discocactus is a group of species from central South America. It is disc-shaped with beautiful flowers emerging from a woolly ‘hat’, the cephalium. The disc-shaped form does not get higher than 8 cm and no wider that 25 cm. Discocactus heptacanthus varies considerably both in the wild and in cultivation.
The long white flowers open at night and smell very fragrant; some specialists believe this to be the most beautifully perfumed cactus in the world. These cacti are pollinated by pintail butterflies, which use their long proboscis to reach the nectar deep inside the flower funnel. Discrete groups of catci all flower simultaneously . How they time their flowering to coincide is not known, but it serves to increase the chance of cross pollination.
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The long white flowers that open at night are very fragrant; some specialists consider this to be the most beautifully perfumed cactus in the world.
The flowers are pollinated by hawk moths that use their long proboscis to reach the nectar deep inside the flower tube. Discrete groups of catci all flower simultaneously thus increasing the chance of cross pollination.
Details
Description: | Succulent, cactus, up to 8 cm and 25 cm in diameter. |
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Distributions: | Central south america |
Habitat: | Savannah vegetation, shade of dispersed trees and bushes, on sand or gravel, often ferruginous. |
Year cycle: | Perennial (trees and shrubs included) |
Hardiness: | 23 - 34 f (half-hardy - unheated glasshouse/mild winter) |
Flowering period: | Mei - juli |
Flower color: | White |
Notes on flowers: | Long white flowers that open at night. |