Leaf Cactus, Barbados-gooseberry
Pereskia aculeata

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A large vine-like cactus. It is a woody climber. It can be 20 m tall. It has hooked spines on the stems. There are 2 forms of spines. The vine can be 9 m long and 5-8 cm wide. It is dark green. The leaves are fleshy. The leaves are oblong or sword shaped. Leaves are shed in the dry period. The flowers are 4 cm across. They are white but become cream or pink with age. They are waxy and lemon scented. The fruit are small and yellow with acid pulp. They are about 2 cm across. The flesh is white. The fruit are edible.

There are about 16-20 Pereskia species. They have leaves.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It suits a hot tropical lowland climate. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. It does best in climates with a wet and dry period. It has moderate salt tolerance. It needs a temperature between 10-30°C. It does well in a greenhouse with night temperatures of 20°C and day temperatures of 37°C. It needs a well-drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Antilles, Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil (country/location of origin), Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Colombia, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, East Africa, Eswatini, Guadeloupe, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Hawaii, Hispaniola, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Malaysia, Martinique, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, St Lucia, St Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname, Swaziland, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit is used fresh or cooked. They have a citrus like flavour. They can be stewed or made into jam or preserves. The young leaves are used as a vegetable.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, seeds

How it is grown

It can be grown from cuttings. It can also be grown from seeds. It can be used for hedges.

Its other names

Local names

Barbados cherry, Blade apple cactus, Bugambilia blanca, Came-de-pobre, Camelia blanca, Dieplong nhon, Grosellero, Guamacho, Hortensia de bejuco, Jasmin de uvas, Leafy cactus, Lemon vine, Mahaga-kywe-yay-kya, Ora-pro-nobis, Ramo de novia, Rose cactus, Surinam gooseberry, Tsumya, West Indian gooseberry

Synonyms

Cactus lucidus Salisb.; Cactus pereskia L.; Pereskia aculeata var. godseffiana (Sander) F. M. Kunth; Pereskia acardia; Pereskia foetens Speg. in Weingart; Pereskia fragrans Lem.; Pereskia godseffiana hort.; Pereskia longispina Haw.; Pereskia pereskia (L.) Karsten [Invalid]; Pereskia rubescens Houghton; Pereskia undulata Lem.;