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Species

Cereus mirabella

Cereus mirabella

Cereus mirabella

Cereus mirabella N.P.Taylor is treated as an accepted taxon in Plants of the World Online.1

The current source-backed classification places it in Cactaceae within Cereus.12

Its recorded native range/source remark is BZCMT, BZEFN, BZNRO, BZNTO, BZNAC, BZEPE, BZLMG, BZECE, BZEBA, BZC, BZLRJ, BZC_GO; Brazil.1

POWO records the plant context as succulent tree, seasonally dry tropical.1

This is a source-populated draft intended for later Kaktus Doktoru editorial rewriting; care advice and morphology should be reviewed before publication.

References

  1. Plants of the World Online. "Cereus mirabella N.P.Taylor". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Accessed: 2026-06-10. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:968031-1 ↩
  2. GBIF Secretariat. "Cereus mirabella". GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Accessed: 2026-06-10. https://www.gbif.org/species/5622772 ↩

Plants In This Group

Cereus mirabella

Cereus mirabella

Cereus mirabella

Cereus mirabella is a distinct, slender-stemmed, semi-scandent cactus species native to the arid regions of Brazil 1. Unlike typical massive columnar cacti, it exhibits a more delicate, sprawling, and branching growth habit.

Taxonomy and Naming

Classified under the genus Cereus in the family Cactaceae, this species is also known under the synonym Mirabella minensis 2. The specific epithet 'mirabella' derives from the Latin word for 'wonderful' or 'beautiful'.

Distribution and Habitat

Native to Minas Gerais and Bahia in Brazil, it thrives in the seasonally dry tropical forests of the Caatinga biome 1. It typically grows on rocky outcrops and sandy flats alongside deciduous scrub vegetation.

Appearance

It features slender, blue-green stems with 3 to 6 prominent ribs. The small areoles bear short, needle-like spines and light gray wool. It produces nocturnal, funnel-shaped white flowers that open for just one night.

Cultivation and Care

Highly tolerant of direct sun and high temperatures, it grows rapidly in porous, mineral-rich soils during summer. In winter, temperatures should not drop below 8°C, and the substrate must remain dry 2.

Common Cultivation Mistakes

Overwatering during the winter dormancy period is the most common cause of root rot. Insufficient sunlight leads to etiolation, causing the slender stems to weaken and lose their attractive coloration.

References

  1. Kew Plants of the World Online (POWO), 'Cereus mirabella' Entry. ↩
  2. Anderson, E. F. (2001). The Cactus Family. Timber Press. ↩

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cereus mirabella?
Cereus mirabella is a species-level taxonomy entry identified by the scientific name Cereus mirabella.
Which rank is Cereus mirabella?
Cereus mirabella is shown as a species in our botanical dictionary.
Which groups sit below Cereus mirabella?
No lower taxonomy landing pages are currently shown for Cereus mirabella.
Are there plants related to Cereus mirabella?
Yes. Related dictionary entries include Cereus mirabella.
Is this taxonomy page a care guide?
No. This page explains scientific classification; light, watering, and safety guidance belongs on individual plant pages.
Is Cereus mirabella a product category?
No. This is a scientific taxonomy record. Product categories are organized separately around customer search intent.
Why is the Latin name shown?
The Latin scientific name reduces ambiguity between common names across languages and regions.
Where can I see the parent ranks?
The taxonomy card shows the parent ranks of Cereus mirabella inside the scientific hierarchy.
Can this page change over time?
Yes. Taxonomy and dictionary content can be updated as botanical data, greenhouse observations, and collection records improve.
Why is this different from a plant detail page?
This page explains a classification node. Individual plant pages contain care notes, collection links, and practical growing information.