Acanthocereus hirschtianus

Botanical Description

Acanthocereus hirschtianus is a spiny, shrubby, branching cactus growing from a thick, tuberous rootstock. The slender stems can be erect to semierect, arching, creeping, or even prostrate, growing up to 100cm long and 1 - 6cm in diameter[ 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. In Guatemala it is grown in living fences in conjunction with Acanthocereus tetragonus[ 1996 Title Las Cactáceae de Guatemala Publication Author Véliz M.E. Publisher Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala Year 2008 ISBN 99922-2-551-3 Description ]. It is often grown as an ornamental[ 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. ]. Acanthocereus hirschtianus has a wide range and is apparently abundant in Guatemala. 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. ].