Peniocereus johnstonii

Botanical Description

Peniocereus johnstonii is a spiny, succulent, sparingly branched, shrubby, clambering or climbing cactus growing up to 3 metres tall from a large, fleshy, tuberous rootstock. The stems slender and delicate, around 1 - 2 cm 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 its good quality fruit. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental. Although Peniocereus johnstonii has a restricted range, and its subpopulations on the mainland are affected by several threats, it also occurs on at least seven islands where there are no threats and where the species is most abundant. In addition the species is very difficult to detect in the wild and it might be more common than it is thought. 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. ].