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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Peniocereus greggii var. greggii (Nightblooming cereus)
Anderson, Wynn

Peniocereus greggii var. greggii

Peniocereus greggii (Engelm.) Britton & Rose var. greggii

Nightblooming Cereus, Night-blooming-cereus, Queen Of The Night

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Synonym(s): Cereus greggii

USDA Symbol: pegrg

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

The erect or sprawling, ribbed stems of this inconspicuous cactus can be anywhere from 1-8 ft. in length. The fragrant, waxy-white flowers are nocturnal, lasting only one night. Both they and the bright red fruits that follow are quite showy.

The species and variety name “greggii” was named for Josiah Gregg, (1806-1850). He was born in Overton County, Tennessee. In the summer of 1841 and again in the winter of 1841-42 he traveled through Texas, up the Red River valley, and later from Galveston to Austin and by way of Nacogdoches to Arkansas. He took note of Texas geology, trees, prevalent attitudes, and politics. At the same time, Gregg began compiling his travel notes into a readable manuscript. His “Commerce of the Prairies”, which came out in two volumes in 1844, was an immediate success. In 1848 he joined a botanical expedition to western Mexico and California, during which he corresponded with and sent specimens to the eminent botanist George Engelman in St. Louis. Subsequently, the American Botanical Society added the Latin name “greggii” in his honor to twenty-three species of plants. Gregg died on February 25, 1850, as a result of a fall from his horse.

 

From the Image Gallery

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Fruit Type: Berry

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM , TX
Native Distribution: W. TX to AZ & n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Flats and washes of low altitude deserts, often under creosote bushes

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, deep, sandy soils.

Propagation

Commercially Avail: yes

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1995 VOL. 12, NO.3 - Explore the Big Bend With the Wildflower Center, Education Director\'s Report, T...

Additional resources

USDA: Find Peniocereus greggii var. greggii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Peniocereus greggii var. greggii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Peniocereus greggii var. greggii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2019-08-15
Research By: TWC Staff

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