Cereus hystrix
Salm-Dyck.
Spanish dildo
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Robin White, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Martin Reith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Martin Reith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
An organ-pipe or tree like cactus. It grows 3-5 m tall. The stems are erect and column shaped and usually unbranched. There are several stems about 12 cm across with 9-12 ridges or grooves along them. There are spreading slender sharp spines. These are in clusters on the ridges and can be 3-4 cm long. The flowers are large and funnel shaped and red/ They are 10-12 cm long and occur singly near the ends of the branches. The petals are spreading and white or pink. The fruit is a round, spiny red berry. It is 3 cm across and juicy and edible.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant.
Where It Grows
Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, West Indies,
Synonyms
References (1)
- Little, E. L., et al, 1974, Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. USDA Handbook 449. Forestry Service. p 600 (As Lemaireocereus hystrix)
