Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Succulent cactus-like plants.

Stems: Stems numerous, usually conspicuously 4–angled, the angles toothed, branched from base.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves reduced or absent. Sessile. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers very large, usually with a foetid odor, solitary or several in clusters along the stem. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Calyx of 5 sepals. Corolla usually yellow, purple, or brown, often with transverse lines or mottled with darker colors. Stamens 5, Corona of 2 whorls, the outer whorl of 5 lobes, these entire or divided, the inner whorl also of 5 lobes these simple, divided, or 2–horned and with a dorsal wing or crest. Ovary superior.

Fruit: Fruit of 2 follicles. Seeds comose.

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range: