Though described in 1973, this species has barely seen cultivation. Its juvenile stems at first appear uniform dark green, but closer inspection reveals fine, lighter speckling. These stems are six-ribbed and fine-spined, while mature stems are usually four-ribbed and spinier. The sparingly branched stems arise from tuberous roots that eventually reach 25 cm or more across and twice as long, well-disposed to elevating in caudiciform fashion. The nocturnal flowers are white, and trumpet-shaped, typical of the genus, and are followed by colorful, red, ovoid fruits to 6 cm long. The species is native to the coastal forests of Jalisco, Colima and Michoacán. Our offering is rooted cuts of HBG 57313, a plant grown from seed collected by Lomelí Sención at 260 m at Km 155 along the highway from Barra de Navidad to Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. $5.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 80 (2), March - April, 2008