Autor: Ritter
• ETYMOLOGY
“False Acanthocereus”, referring to the superficial resemblance with this genus.
• DESCRIPTION
A genus of bushy low growing plants with strongly branched stems, at first erect, then arched and pendulous, with few ribs (2-8), but variable, slender and well-defined. Areoles rather small, brown, spines short and aciculate.
Flowers nocturnal, self-sterile, funnel-shaped with a long tube, white, fragrant, pollinated by Sphingideae. Fruits globose, fleshy, very fragrant (somewhat reminiscent of pineapple), pale yellow, indehiscent, bearing spines falling when ripe. Seeds large, flattened, slightly striate, pale brown. Dispersal ensured among others by peccaries (Tayassu pecari) Which truly appreciate cactus fruits.
• HABITAT
The genus Pseudoacanthocereus grows between 300-400 m in altitude, in Brazil, in the caatinga, also In the Carribbean lowlands in Colombia and Venezuela, in subtropical dry forests, or scrubland, mostly in the shade. It supports itself on the surrounding vegetation.
• DISTRIBUTION
Brazil (Bahia, Minas Gerais, Sergipe), Colombia, Venezuela (Falcon, Lara, Zulia).
Currently 2 recognised species:
– Pseudoacanthocereus brasiliensis* (Britton & Rose) Ritter 1979
– Pseudoacanthocereus sicariguensis* (Croizat & Tamayo) Taylor 1992
References: "TAXONOMY of the CACTACEAE" - ISBN 978-84-617-3692-8 (Vol. 2)