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Cereus childsii

Accession Count: 3
Common Name: cereus cactus
Family Name: Cactaceae
Botanical Name: Cereus childsii
Synonyms:
Botanical Synonyms: Cereus childsi
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics: Cereus childsii is a hardy perennial cactus with upright growth, four large ribs, and dark green flesh (1). The plant does not produce side branches, has ridged, vertical depressions running the length of the stems due to the four ribs being compressed inward (2), and very sharp spines along each rib (3). Cereus childsii produces beautiful night-blooming pink flowers, with six rows of inward-curving petals that can extend 30 inches in circumference (1), and displaying numerous yellow stamens in the center of the corolla (2). Flowers are very fragrant, and can produce fleshy fruit, that give form to dehiscent seeds (4).
Compound: Cer chi
Geographic Origin: Brazil
Ecozone Origin: Neotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History: Cereus childsii was first described by Albert A. Blanc, in his 5th edition of Hints on Cacti (1891). He named the cactus after a friend, John Lewis Childs (5), with the genus Cereus referring to cera wax, Latin wax-candle (6). The species has often been debated, with authors such as William Watson and George Nicholson considering the cactus a form of Cereus variabilis (1), (7), and other authors arguing that the species has never been accepted (5). In 1932, the name was changed by William Weingart to Cereus huntingtonianus (5). However, today Cereus childsii is the currently accepted name, with Cereus huntingtonianus being an unresolved synonym or adjacent species (8). One of the earliest specimens was collected by William Trelease on March 3, 1899, in Pennsylvania at  [40°12’10”N] Latitude and [075°00’10”W] Longitude (9).
Cultivation Notes: Cereus childsii is used in xeriscape designs, and as a patio or indoor plant when young. It tolerates soil from mildly acidic to mildly alkaline (6.1-7.8 pH), and full sun (3). Additionally, childsii is drought-tolerant, and only needs supplemental water – it is important not to overwater. When potting, excellent drainage is needed (4) in order for growth to succeed. Strong gloves are necessary when handling this cactus, and it should not be planted near walkways due to the sharp spines (3). Once established, the cactus is hardy in zones 9b to 11 (3), and grows in the American south-west. Propagation can be done via softwood or hardwood cuttings or by seed.  To collect seed, fruit must be unblemished and significantly over-ripe. The seeds should be cleaned and dried, and sown outdoors in fall or winter after the last frost (3).
Ethnobotany: The ethnobotany of Cereus childsii is unknown. However, the flowers, shoots, and stems of similar species have a variety of medicinal uses. These include for chest pain and cardiovascular problems (10), and can be used to soothe the respiratory system, and pain caused by menstrual cycles (11). In addition, many species of cacti have high nutritional value, and the young leaves or fruits are consumed or used as foraging food for animals (12). At the same time, many cacti are used as living fences in landscaping, or as center-pieces in xeriscape designs.
Height: 0 - 5 feet
Width: 0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate: Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Flower Season: Summer
Color: Red
Function: Patio
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Low water Use
Citations:

1. Watson, William (1920). Cactus Culture for Amateurs. Good Press.

2. Success with Flowers, a Floral Magazine (1890). Dingee and Conard Company.

3. Dave’s Garden. Retrieved February 20th, 2020.

4. Plants Database. Retrieved February 20th, 2020.

5. Cactus and Succulent Society. Retrieved February 20th, 2020.

6. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved February 20th, 2020.

7. Nicholson, George (1887). The Illustrated dictionary of Gardening: a Practical and Scientific Encyclopaedia of Horticulture for Gardeners and Botanists, Volume 5 Part 1.

8. The Plant List. Retrieved February 20th, 2020.

9. Tropicos. Retrieved February 20th, 2020.

10. WebMD. Retrieved February 20th, 2020.

11. School of Herbal Medicine. Retrieved February 20th, 2020.

12. US National Library of Medicine. Retrieved February 20th, 2020.

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Cereus childsii