Disocactus alatus (Sw.) Kimnach

Horticultural & Botanical History

Introduced to Britain in 1810.  [JD].  ‘A flowering specimen of this singular species of Cactus was obligingly communicated, in November, 1827, by Mrs. Arnold Harrison, of Aigburth, together with an excellent sketch of the natural size of the plant; which last is copied on a very reduced scale at fig. 1. of the accompanying plate.  That lady received it from her brother William Harrison, Esq. of Rio, who discovered it in the Organ mountains.  I was at first disposed to consider it distinct from Cactus alatus, more, however, from the country which it inhabits (so distinct from Jamaica, the only station hitherto given for that plant), than from any other circumstance: for I have generally considered the Cacti to be peculiarly local in their geographical distribution.  Swartz’s decription, however, especially his account of the size and colour of the flowers of his Cactus alatus,  is such as to forbid their being kept separate: at the same time, as there is no figure of the plant existing, I cannot determine the point with certainty.  Sloane refers to Cactus Phyllanthus in Plenkenet, which has unusually large flowers; whereas our plant has rather the blossom of the Rhipsalis than the Phyllanthus tribe: thus shewing that a similar habit in the plant and in the flowers are not always combined in this tribe, and that we ought to be cautious how we separate this family into Genera.’  [BM t.2820/1828].

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.413/1850].

Notes