Eulychnia acida

Phil.

Copao

Cactaceae Edible: Fruit 471 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Eulychnia acida is a flowering plant in the family Cactaceae that is found in Chile.

Description

A tree like cactus. It grows 4 m tall. The flowers are white. The fruit are 5-6 cm across.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The fruit pulp is eaten fresh and used to make drinks.

Traditional Uses

The pulp of the fruit is eaten. It is also used for drinks.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Noted as rich in vitamin C.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Chile, South America,

Other Uses

The dried stems are used for making rainsticks. The dry stems are harvested in the field, cleaned, and prepared by pushing stout spines through the areolar gaps in the wood. Coarse sand or fine gravel is poured into the central cavity of the stem, the ends are sealed, and the surface shellacked[. Turning the stick over causes the material in the stem to fall past the spines, making a rattling sound rather like the sound of rain. The dried stems are used for fuel. The stems are often harvested in large quantities to be used for firewood at sulphur-processing plants for the copper industry. The plants are grown as a living fence in order to mark out boundaries and act as a barrier.

Notes

It is rich in Vitamin C.

Synonyms

Cereus acidus (Phil.) K. Schum.Eulychnia acida var. elata F. Ritter

Also Known As

Hormata, Rumpa, Tuna de cobado, Tuna de Copao

References (4)

Cordero, S. E., Abello, L. A., & Galvez, F. L., 2017, Plantas silvestres comestibles y medicinales de Chile y otras partes del mundo. CORMA p 61
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 360
Leon-Lobos, P., et al, 2022, Patterns of Traditional and Modern Uses of Wild Edible Native Plants of Chile: Challenges and Future Perspectives. Plants (Basel) v 11 (6) Table S1
Martin, F. W., et al, 1987, Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics. USDA Handbook 642 p 86