Harrisia adscendens

Botanical Description

Harrisia adscendens is a spiny, evergreen, much branched, shrubby cactus. The stems can be 5 - 8 metres long and 2 - 5cm in diameter, usually with distinct trunks; they are erect at first, later arching and clambering through other plants[ 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 food. Harrisia adscendens has a wide range and is frequently abundant, it is tolerant to disturbance and occurs within protected areas. The subpopulations in the wild might have decreased over the last years, however the species is tolerant and can establish in areas converted for cattle ranching, road sides and farm fences. 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. ].