Consolea moniliformis

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A tree like cactus. It can be 5-7 m tall. It has a single, erect, round spiny trunk. There are oblong, flattened spiny pads or joints. The leaves are replaced by clusters or sharp slender spines. The flowers occur singly and erect on the edges of the pads. The fruit is pear shaped and spiny. It is green or red and 6 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Puerto Rico it grows from sea level up to 200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, West Indies

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alpargata

Synonyms

Cactus ferox Willd.; Consolea ferox (Willd.) Lem.; Consolea picardae (Urb.) Areces; Opuntia microcarpa K. Schum.; Opuntia moniliformis (L.) Haw. ex Steud.; and others