Cereus jamacaru

Cereus jamacaru, known as mandacaru or cardeiro, is a cactus native to central and eastern Brazil. and naturalized in South Africa. It often grows up to 5 m (16 ft) high.

Description

A columnar cactus. It grows 4-12 m tall. The trunk is short. The stems have 8 wings. There are spines in groups along these. The groups are 2-4 cm apart and there are 1-4 central spines and 7-12 spines around these. The flowers occur singly and open at night. The fruit are large and bright red. The pulp is white.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw, cooked or preserved. A farinaceous, succulent pulp with a slightly sweet flavour. The fruit is about 12cm long and 7cm wide. Stems - cooked and used as a vegetable.

Traditional Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw. The stems can be used as a vegetable.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The juice is used for treating scurvy, lung and skin diseases. The juice is also applied topically to treat ulcers. The above reports do not specify if it is the juice from the fruit or from the stems. The plant is known to contain alkaloids.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in east and northeast Brazil. It grows in semi-arid regions and savannah. It is best in light, sandy well-drained soil. It needs an open sunny position. It is resistant to drought and frost. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Africa, Australia, Botswana, Brazil*, Canada, Colombia, Egypt, Eswatini, Mexico, North Africa, North America, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Swaziland, West Indies,

Cultivation

It is grown by cuttings. It can also be grown from seed. The seeds are separated from ripe fruit by washing. They need to be planted fresh. Seeds germinate in 40-60 days. It can be used as a hedge.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Sow the seed in a semi-shaded position, spreading the seed on the surface and watering it into the soil. Germination rates are usually low with the seed sprouting within 40 - 60 days. Cuttings.

Other Uses

The wood is regular-grained, very light and coarse-textured. It is very susceptible to wood eating organisms. It can only be used to make light boxes and models such as model aeroplanes, but was at one time used in the construction of traditional dwellings. The plant is a pioneer of open ground in its native area and could be a suitable, if slow-growing, pioneer for semi-arid areas generally. The plant has an upright and spiny habit and can be propagated easily by cuttings it makes a good living hedge for marking boundaries, excluding grazing animals and conserving the soil

Production

It grows quickly.

Other Information

The fruit are popular.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Cacto-cardero, Cardeiro, Cayuco, Cumbeba, Kaktus mandacaru, Mandacaru cereus, Swamp oak cactus

References (24)

• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 241
• Bussmann, R. W., (Ed.), 2020, Biodiverse food plants in the semiarid region of Brazil have unknown potential: A systematic review. Plos ONE 15(5): e0230936
• Cruz, M. P., et al, 2014, Local perceptions and consumption of native wild edible plants from seasonal dry forests in Brazil. Journal or Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 10:45
• de Lucena, et al, 2013, Use and knowledge of Cactaceae in Northeastern Brazil. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2013, 9:62
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 63

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