Barbados gooseberry
Pereskia portulacifolia

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It is shrubby or treelike. It grows 3-5 m high and the trunks are 15-20 cm across. The leaves vary in shape and size. They are spoon shaped or heart shaped and 5-15 mm long by 4-10 mm wide. The twigs have groups of 0-3 spines and there can be groups of 50 on the trunks. They are 10-22 mm long. The flowers occur singly and are pink or purple. They are 3-3.5 cm across. The fruit are almost round and 1.8-3 cm across.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Hispaniola, West Indies

How it is used for food

Edible parts

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Camelia roja

Synonyms

Cactus portulacifolius L.; Rhodocactus portulacifolius (L.) F.M. Knuth;