Pterocereus gaumeri

Botanical Description

Pterocereus gaumeri is a spiny, leafless, evergreen, tree-like succulent plant growing up to 8 metres tall. The plant is often unbranched, but can have a trunk up to 150cm high with a few, slender, erect branches[ 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 and source of materials, and possibly also as a food. Pterocereus gaumeri has a small range, and is not abundant, and is intolerant to habitat disturbance. Population decline already caused by the destruction of its habitat for urban and agricultural development is inferred to be greater than 50% , this decline is continuing and populations are now highly fragmented. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 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. ].