Consolea moniliformis
(L.) A. Berger
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(c) Katharina Geiß, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Katharina Geiß
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) William Cinea, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaConsolea moniliformis is a species of cactus that is native to the Greater Antilles, on Cuba, Hispaniola (in the Dominican Republic and Haiti), and Puerto Rico (on the islands of Mona, Culebra and Desecheo). The species forms small shrubs, with vividly green falciform pads and is often growing near the coast. On Hispaniola it is often confused with Consolea testudinis-crus a species that forms large tree-like plants with bluish-grey pads, in Puerto Rico it is at times confused with Consolea rubescens.
Description
A tree like cactus. It can be 5-7 m tall. It has a single, erect, round spiny trunk. There are oblong, flattened spiny pads or joints. The leaves are replaced by clusters or sharp slender spines. The flowers occur singly and erect on the edges of the pads. The fruit is pear shaped and spiny. It is green or red and 6 cm long.
Edible Uses
The fruit is eaten.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. In Puerto Rico it grows from sea level up to 200 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, West Indies,
Synonyms
Also Known As
Alpargata
References (1)
- Little, E. L., et al, 1974, Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. USDA Handbook 449. Forestry Service. p 602 (As Opuntia moniliformis)
