Pereskia aculeata

Botanical Description

Pereskia aculeata is an erect, spiny, deciduous, woody shrub when young, becoming, with age, scrambling or climbing and vine-like, with stems up to 10 metres long that may shroud a large tree[ 336 Title Fruits of Warm Climates Publication Author Morton. J. Publisher Florida Flair books, Florida. Year 1987 ISBN 0961018410 Description A very well written guide to about 125 species. ]. Although the plant is in the cactus family, it is not easily recognised as such since it is not succulent and has leaves[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ]. The plant is seldom found truly wild but is frequently grown in tropical areas as an ornamental or occasionally for its edible leaves and fruits. The leaves are often sold in local markets in eastern Brazil. There are some named varieties grown as ornamentals[ 336 Title Fruits of Warm Climates Publication Author Morton. J. Publisher Florida Flair books, Florida. Year 1987 ISBN 0961018410 Description A very well written guide to about 125 species. , 1988 Title Pereskia (Cactaceae) Publication Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden Volume 41 Author Leuenberger B.E. Publisher The New York Botanical Garden; Bronx, New York Year 1986 ISBN 0-89327-307-4 Description The genus Pereskia (sensu lato) has been divided into several genera since this treatment was written, but it still remains an excellent guide to the plants. ]. Pereskia aculeata is common, widespread, and an aggressive invader in parts of the world where it has been introduced. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].