Harrisia eriophora
(Pfeiffer) Britton
Fragrant prickly apple
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Summary
Source: WikipediaHarrisia eriophora is a species of cactus found in Cuba.
Description
A cactus. It is a shrubby plant. It forms dense clumps. The stems are erect, arching or clambering. They can be 3-5 m high. The stems are bright green when young and become darker green with age. They are 4 cm across. There are 8-12 ribs and these have deep depressions between them. There are 6-13 spines that are light brown or yellow but become darker near the tip. They are like needles and 2-4 cm long. The flowers are 12-18 cm long with long tubes. The fruit are oval and yellow to dull red. They are 6 cm across. They are edible.
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw. The yellow to dull red, obovoid to globose fruit is up to 6cm in diameter and free of spines. Harrisia fruits generally contain a sweet, edible, white pulp with hundreds to thousands of tiny seeds embedded in the pulp.
Distribution
A tropical plant.
Where It Grows
Central America, Cuba, North America, USA, West Indies,
Cultivation
The genus Harrisia is found in semi-arid tropical to subtropical regions of the Americas, growing in both the northern and southern hemispheres. There is usually a dry season at the cooler part of the year that can last up to 6 months. Annual precipitation is generally around 500 - 1,200mm. In the northernmost part of its range, in Florida, and in its southwestern range in Argentina and Bolivia, it experiences occasional freezing temperatures, and in cultivation light frosts (1-2 per year) experienced by species in Florida, seemed well-tolerated and not detrimental. The flowers open of a night time and are sweetly scented to attract bats and moths.
Propagation
Seed - usually germinates quickly and well without pre-treatment, though fresh seed may have a short dormancy of up to 8 weeks, Washing the seed in water prior to sowing can shorten germination time. The seed sometimes germinates whilst still in the fruit. Cuttings. Vegetative reproduction is frequent in nature when stems break and detach from the parent plant. The stems can proceed to produce roots along tissue nearest to the ground and produce a new plant.
Other Information
It is sold in local markets.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Pitaya
References (5)
- Anderson, E.F., 2001, The Cactus Family, Timber Press. p 372
- Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 35:562. 1909 ("1908")
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 405
- Martin, F. W., et al, 1987, Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics. USDA Handbook 642 p 87
- Melander, M., 2007, Endangered plants on the market in Havana City, Cuba. Uppsala University, Sweden p 19
