Peniocereus johnstonii
Britton & Rose
Matraca, Pitayita, Saramatraca
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) J. Fernando Pío León, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by J. Fernando Pío León
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Eduardo Fernández Reza, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Eduardo Fernández Reza, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A cactus. The plant is shrubby or climbs. It has a few branches. It grows 3 m high. The roots are large and fleshy like a tuber. The stems are slender and delicate. They are 1-2 cm across. There are 3-5 ribs with a wavy edge. The spines are dark brown. There are 1-3 central spines and these are 4-8 mm long. There are 8-11 spines around these. The flowers are funnel shaped and open at night. They are white and have a scent. They are 15 cm long. The fruit are oval and 6 cm long. The fruit are edible.
Edible Uses
The oval fruit, 6 cm long, is edible.
Distribution
It is a desert plant. It needs well drained soil but little water.
Where It Grows
Mexico, North America,
References (2)
- Anderson, E.F., 2001, The Cactus Family, Timber Press. p 563
- www.desert-tropicals.com
