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Ric Rac Cactus (Selenicereus anthonyanus)

The Ric Rac Cactus, also called Fishbone Cactus or St. Anthony's Rick-Rack, is an epiphytic cactus with deeply lobed, zigzag stems that resemble a fish skeleton. Its spectacular, fragrant night-blooming flowers add to its allure.

Botanical Profile

Family:	Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus:	Selenicereus (sel-ee-nih-KER-ee-us)
Species:	anthonyanus
Synonym:	Cryptocereus anthonyanus

Care Guide

As an epiphyte, it prefers a loose, organic-rich mix and bright, indirect light. Keep slightly more moist than desert cacti. Provide humidity and support for its trailing stems. The large, white nocturnal flowers are a spectacular reward.

Cactus and Succulents: Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum) Care: Not an Orchid, Blooms in Winter; Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii): Desert Globe of Gold; Beavertail Cactus (Opuntia basilaris): Spineless Pink-Flowered Prickly Pear; Orchid Cactus (Disocactus ackermannii): Red Strap-Stemmed Epiphyte; Starfish Cactus (Orbea variegata): Carrion Flower Succulent; Crenate Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum crenatum): An Epiphytic Beauty with Fragrant Nocturnal Blooms; Ball Cactus (Parodia magnifica): A Handsome Globe with Silky Yellow Spines and Crown of Flowers; Road Kill Cactus (Consolea rubescens): A Spineless, Flattened Cactus with a Distinctive Habit; Fishbone Cactus 'Gertrudianum' (Epiphyllum anguliger 'Gertrudianum'); Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera)

Garden Articles

Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea gigantea): Icon of the Sonoran Desert

Hooker's Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum hookeri): Night-Blooming Epiphyte

Brazilian Prickly Pear (Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis): A Tree-Like Cactus with Flattened Branches

Miniature Barrel Cactus (Thelocactus setispinus): A Small, Floriferous Barrel with Bristly Spines

Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria hahniana): A White-Haired Globe with a Crown of Pink Flowers

Paper Spine Cactus (Tephrocactus articulatus var. papyracanthus): A Unique, Papery-Spined Cactus

Turk's Cap Cactus (Melocactus azureus): The Blue-Bodied Cactus with a Red Cephalium

Plants

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Agave Cactus (Leuchtenbergia principis): The Agave-Looking Cactus

Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia monacantha): The Drooping Paddle Cactus

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Peanut Cactus 'Fire Chief' (Echinopsis 'Fire Chief')

Epiphyllum cryptocereus 'Orchid Cactus Zigzag' – Zigzag Stems for Hanging Baskets