PlantPeers
Back to Catalog
No image available
Cactaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Leuenbergeria lychnidiflora

Leuenbergeria lychnidiflora

Edibility
0/5
Medicinal
0/5

Safety & Hazards

The fruit is of particular interest because its seeds are surrounded by stinging sclereid fibers of the locule wall. Although this may not be a factor preventing dispersal of the intact fruit, the fibers might act as a repellent against consumption of the seeds[1].

Cultivation Details

HabitDeciduous Tree
Growth—

Leuenbergia species occur in dry forests and thorn-scrub habitats in a tropical climate with a more or less pronounced dry season of about two to five months[1]. Species in this genus generally prefes a well-drained, circum-neutral soil in a sunny position[2]. Species in this genus can be evergreen, but are deciduous under conditions with seasonal drought. Iin cultivation they also lose their leaves if the mean temperature falls below around 15°c[1]. The flowers open during the day and only last one day[1]. The plant contains a mucilage. When the fresh or dried, sectioned fruits are put in water, the mucilage swells and exudes in large amounts from the cut mucilage cavities[1].

Propagation

Seed - fresh seed can be slow to germinate, it is best to sow seed that is between several months to 2 years old and this should germinate after a few days. Even when five years old, seed can have a 50% germination rate[1]. Easily grown from cuttings of half-ripe wood, taken during the dry season[3, 1]. The wood is considered to be unsuitable for fuel because of the stinging sclerenchymatic fibres that fall from the withering cortex of dead branches and trunks[1]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Leuenbergeria+lychnidiflora>

Pollinators

Insects

References

  1. [1]Pereskia (Cactaceae) — Leuenberger B.E. · The New York Botanical Garden; Bronx, New York · 1986 · ISBN 0-89327-307-4 ↩︎The genus Pereskia (sensu lato) has been divided into several genera since this treatment was written, but it still remains an excellent guide to the plants.
  2. [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  3. [3]Fruits of Warm Climates — Morton. J. · Florida Flair books, Florida. · 1987 · ISBN 0961018410 ↩︎A very well written guide to about 125 species.
  4. [4]Las Cactáceae de Guatemala — Véliz M.E. · Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala · 2008 · ISBN 99922-2-551-3 ↩︎
  5. [5]IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — http://www.iucnredlist.org/ ↩︎A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.