Polaskia chichipe
Cactaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Polaskia chichipe

Polaskia chichipe

Edibility
3/5
Medicinal
0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Polaskia chichipe is a much-branched, tree-like, spiny succulent cactus growing up to 5 metres tall. It has a short bole that can be up to 1 metre in diameter[ 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 plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. The fruits are appreciated by the local population and are commonly gathered from the wild for local use. They are also sold in local markets[ 46 Title Dictionary of Economic Plants. Publication Author Uphof. J. C. Th. Publisher Weinheim Year 1959 ISBN - Description An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader. , 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. ]. Polaskia chichipe is abundant, tolerated and even promoted in agricultural lands, has no threats, and occurs within protected areas. 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. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical
Native RangeSouthern N. America - southern Mexico (Oaxaca, Puebla).
HabitatXerophyllous scrub, commonly growing on alluvial limestone fans and shallow black soil; at elevations fro 1,600 - 2,300 metres[ 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. ].