Peniocereus viperinus

Botanical Description

Peniocereus viperinus is a somewhat spiny, succulent, shrubby cactus growing from a fleshy, robust rootstock. It produces numerous branched, trailing stems, growing up to 3 metres tall. The stems become spine-free with age[ 411 Title Trees and Shrubs of Mexico Publication Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23 Author Standley P.C. Publisher Smithsonian Institution; Washington Year 1926 ISBN Description Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet. , 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. It is grown as an ornamental[ 2008 Title Estudio Etnobotánico de Zapotitlán Salinas, Puebla Publication Acta Botanica Mexicana 79: 13-61 (2007) Author Paredes-Flores M., Saade R.L. & Aranda P.D.D. Publisher Year 2007 ISBN 0187-7151 Description ]. Peniocereus viperinus has a wide range and occurs in a protected area. The species is affected by habitat modification due to expanding small-scale farming and cattle ranching, but it is not declining at a rate sufficient to warrant listing in a threatened category. 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. ].