Aporocactus flagelliformis

Botanical Description

Aporocactus flagelliformis is a spiny, evergreen succulent cactus that branches basally to produce a cluster of cylindrical stems that can be 60cm or more long and around 2 - 4cm in diameter. The stems are erect when young, later sprawling and often pendant[ 1987 Title The Cactus Family Publication Author Anderson E.F. Publisher Timber Press; Portland, Oregon Year 2001 ISBN 0-88192-498-9 Description An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation.. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is widely grown as an ornamental, valued for its pendant, flowering stems that make it particularly suitable for hanging baskets[ 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. , 372 Title Flowers of India Publication Author Website http://www.flowersofindia.net/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A wed site of native Indian plants, plus cultivated and naturalized species. It has good quality photos and terse details on more than 3,000 species and cultivars. ]. Aporocactus flagelliformis is threatened by ongoing and increasing destruction of the cloud forests habitats in which it grows. The species is likely to have declined by nearly 30% due to habitat conversion to agriculture (mainly coffee and maize) and to a lesser extent cattle ranching. This trend is expected to continue in the future and the species needs to be monitored. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' 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. ].