Heliocereus speciosus (Cav.) Britt. & Rose

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This splendid-flowered plant has been recently added to our collections by the Comtesse de Vandes, and blossomed for the first time in the hothouse of the well-ordered botanic establishment of that lady at Bayswater, where our drawing was made in July last.  The flower is not only beautiful, but has the additional advantage of enduring several days in perfection.  It is said to have been first procured at Paris from the national garden at Madrid by the Comte de Salm.’  [BR f.486/1820]. 

‘The blossoms, which for magnificence are scarcely equalled by any plant at present known, are usually produced in the summer, each lasting three or four days open.’  [LBC no.924/1824].  Cultivated in Britain since 1816.  ‘This is a most splendid plant when in flower, and is now very common in gardens.’ [Don].  BR f.49/1842.  Introduced to Britain in 1827 as Cactus speciosus [JD].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues as ‘Cereus speciosissimus’ [T.303/1843].  Received per ‘Sovereign’ February 1831 as ‘Cactus speciosissimus’ and possibly ‘Cactus speciosus’.  [MP A2948]. Cactus speciosa, C. Ackermanii and C. truncatus were sent to John Bidwill in Tahiti on 29th May 1846.  [MP A2933-2, p.135].

Notes

Cactus speciosus Hook. (1828) = Rhipsalis swartziara Pfeiff.

Cactus speciosus Desf. = Phyllocactus phyllanthoides Link, which see.

Cactus speciosus Gill. ex Sweet (1826) = Mammillaria speciosa G.Don ex Steud.

Macarthur’s plant could also be Rhipsalis swartziara Pfeiff. or Mammillaria speciosa G.Don ex Steud.