Guamacho
Pereskia guamacho

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It is shrubby or like a small tree. It grows 4-8 m high. The trunks are 1-2 m high and 25 cm wide. They are smooth. The leaves vary in shape and size. They are narrowly oval and 2-7 cm long by 1-6 cm wide. The leaf stalks are 1-5 mm long. There are groups of 0-2 spines on the twigs and groups of 50-60 spines on the trunks. These are 3-5 cm long. The flowers are on the side of branches and can occur singly or in 2's or 3's. They are yellow and 2-5 cm across. The fruit are round and 1.5-2 cm across. They are green and fleshy.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 800 m altitude in the drier areas of Colombia and Venezuela.

Countries/locations it is found in

Colombia, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are bitter sweet.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Fachno, Siichi, Supi, Suspiro

Synonyms

Pereskia colombiana Britton & Rose; Rhodocactus colombianus (Britton & Rose) F.M. Knuth; Rhodocactus guamacho (F.A.C. Weber) F.M. Knuth;