Leuenbergeria bleo

Botanical Description

Leuenbergeria bleo is a much-branched, deciduous shrub or small tree growing from 2 - 8 metres tall. The bole is up to 15cm in diameter, with or without spines, the branches have numerous spines[ 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. ]. Although a member of the cactus family, this shrub is virtually not succulent and has fleshy 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 edible leaves are sometimes gathered from the wild and used locally. The plant is also probably used to purify water, cultivated as a hedge and is also grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it is valued for its flowers and decorative fruits. Leuenbergeria bleo has a wide distribution, is found in a number of locations, occurs in inaccessible places, and is widely cultivated for use as a hedge. 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. ].