Hildmania cactus, Hedge cactus
Cereus hildmannianus

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

Cereus hildmannianus is an evergreen Tree growing to 9 m (29ft) by 4.5 m (14ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 9

Where it is found

Pampas grassland, seasonal semi-deciduous forests; principally found on plateaux at elevations from 700 - 1,000 metres; showing a preference for thin, rocky soils.

S. America - Argentina, Uruguay. Paraguay, Bolivia, southern, eastern and central Brazil.

Conservation Status: Status: Least Concern

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia, Brazil*, Indonesia, SE Asia, South America

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Fruit - raw. The tasty fruit has a sweet, fleshy pulp. The fruit peel is sometimes candied. The orangish-yellow fruit is up to 12cm long and 10cm wide. The young stems are sometimes eaten.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

Agroforestry Uses: The plant is a pioneer of open ground in its native area and could be a suitable, if slow-growing, a pioneer for semi-arid areas generally. Other Uses: The wood is regular-grained, very light and coarse-textured. It is very susceptible to wood-eating organisms. It can only be used to make light boxes and models such as model aeroplanes. A potted plant.

Containers: Plants, such as gourds, that can be used as containers. Does not include baskets or containers made from wood.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Pioneer: Plants, usually trees and shrubs, that can be used to reforest land.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Agroforestry Services: Living fence: Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Agroforestry Services: Living fence: Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

A plant of the warm temperate to tropical regions. Plants are quite hardy when conditions are fairly dry, able to tolerate occasional temperatures as low as -10c. Requires a sunny position and a well-drained soil. Prefers a pH lower than 6. Established plants are very drought tolerant. There are reports that the plant has escaped from cultivation and become invasive in Hawaii. Newly planted trees are slow to establish and grow away. Good in pots.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Sow the seed in a semi-shaded position, spreading the seed on the surface and watering it into the soil. Germination rates are usually low with the seed sprouting within 30 - 50 days. Cuttings. One of the easiest cactus to propagate by cuttings.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 9-12

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

There are reports that the plant has escaped from cultivation and become invasive in Hawaii.

Its other names

Local names

Kaktus hildmannia, Mandacaru, Tuna, Tunam, Urumbeva, Hedge Cactus, Queen of the Night, Andes Organ Pipe, Peruvian Apple, Spiny Tree Cactus.

Synonyms

Cereus milesimus E.C.Rost. Cereus peruvianus auct