Selenicereus escuintlensis

Botanical Description

Selenicereus escuintlensis is a spiny, evergreen, climbing or sprawling, intricately branched cactus with stems up to 5 metres or more long. The stems are segmented, with individual segments around 10 - 30cm or more long and 3 - 4cm wide[ 1987 Title The Cactus Family Publication Author Anderson E.F. Publisher Timber Press; Portland, Oregon Year 2001 ISBN 0-88192-498-9 Description An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation.. , 1996 Title Las Cactáceae de Guatemala Publication Author Véliz M.E. Publisher Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala Year 2008 ISBN 99922-2-551-3 Description ]. The plant is no longer known in the wild but is grown inliving fences and is harvested for its edible fruit[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. The fruits are much appreciated locally and are sold in local markets[ 1996 Title Las Cactáceae de Guatemala Publication Author Véliz M.E. Publisher Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala Year 2008 ISBN 99922-2-551-3 Description ]. The plant is also grown as an ornamental[ 1996 Title Las Cactáceae de Guatemala Publication Author Véliz M.E. Publisher Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala Year 2008 ISBN 99922-2-551-3 Description ]. The habitat where Selenicereus escuintlensis is found (tropical lowland forest), has almost completely disappeared through conversion to agricultural land, resulting in an estimated 80% reduction of the population size. The species can now only be found as a cultivated living fence in the area where it used to occur naturally. The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].