Pereskia aculeata

Mill.

Leaf Cactus, Barbados-gooseberry

Cactaceae Edible: Fruit, Leaves, Seeds 1,873 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Pereskia aculeata is a scrambling shrub in the family Cactaceae. Common names include Barbados gooseberry, blade-apple cactus, leaf cactus, rose cactus, and lemonvine. It is native to tropical America. The leaves and fruits are edible, containing high quantities of protein, iron and other nutrients, and it is a popular vegetable in parts of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais under the name of ora-pro-nóbis.

Description

A large vine-like cactus. It is a woody climber. It can be 20 m tall. It has hooked spines on the stems. There are 2 forms of spines. The vine can be 9 m long and 5-8 cm wide. It is dark green. The leaves are fleshy. The leaves are oblong or sword shaped. Leaves are shed in the dry period. The flowers are 4 cm across. They are white but become cream or pink with age. They are waxy and lemon scented. The fruit are small and yellow with acid pulp. They are about 2 cm across. The flesh is white. The fruit are edible.

Edible Uses

The small yellow fruits have a citrus-like flavor and are eaten fresh or cooked, stewed, or made into jam or preserves. The young leaves are used as a cooked vegetable. The seeds are also edible.

Traditional Uses

The fruit is used fresh or cooked. They have a citrus like flavour. They can be stewed or made into jam or preserves. The young leaves are used as a vegetable.

Medicinal Uses

The leaves are rich in mucilage. They are valued for their emollient nature and are crushed then applied on inflammations and tumours. The fruit is antisyphilitic and expectorant.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It suits a hot tropical lowland climate. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. It does best in climates with a wet and dry period. It has moderate salt tolerance. It needs a temperature between 10-30°C. It does well in a greenhouse with night temperatures of 20°C and day temperatures of 37°C. It needs a well-drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Antilles, Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil*, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America*, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, East Africa, Eswatini, Guadeloupe, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Hawaii, Hispaniola, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Malaysia, Martinique, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, St Lucia, St Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname, Swaziland, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies*,

Cultivation

It can be grown from cuttings. It can also be grown from seeds. It can be used for hedges.

Propagation

Seed - fresh seed can be slow to germinate, it is best to sow seed that is between several months to 2 years old and this should germinate after a few days. Even when five years old, seed can have a 50% germination rate. Easily grown from cuttings of half-ripe wood, taken during the dry season.

Other Uses

Often used as a rootstock on which to graft other less vigorous cacti. We have no specific description of the wood for this species, but the general description for the wood from Pereskia species (sensu lato) is as follows:-The wood is yellow, without difference between softwood and heartwood. The texture is medium, soft grain, straight fibre, with no characteristic odour or taste, The flowers are a good source of nectar for bees.

Other Information

It is a cultivated food plant.

Notes

There are about 16-20 Pereskia species. They have leaves.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Fruit	91.4	134	32	1	—	—	—	—
Leaves	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	—

Synonyms

Cactus lucidus Salisb.Cactus pereskia L.Pereskia aculeata var. godseffiana (Sander) F. M. KunthPereskia acardiaPereskia foetens Speg. in WeingartPereskia fragrans Lem.Pereskia godseffiana hort.Pereskia longispina Haw.Pereskia pereskia (L.) Karsten [Invalid]Pereskia rubescens HoughtonPereskia undulata Lem.

Also Known As

Barbados cherry, Blade apple cactus, Bugambilia blanca, Came-de-pobre, Camelia blanca, Dieplong nhon, Grosellero, Guamacho, Hortensia de bejuco, Jasmin de uvas, Leafy cactus, Lemon vine, Mahaga-kywe-yay-kya, Ora-pro-nobis, Ramo de novia, Rose cactus, Surinam gooseberry, Tsumya, West Indian gooseberry

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