Peniocereus greggii

Botanical Description

Peniocereus greggii is a spiny, succulent, shrubby cactus with erect to sprawling, slender stems up to 300cm long and 10 - 20mm in diameter that look rather like dead sticks. The plant grows from a large, tuberous rootstock that can sometimes reach 60cm. in diameter and weigh up to 50 kilos, though it is more commonly 15 - 20cm long by 5 - 8cm in diameter[ 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.. , 1991 Title Ajo Peak to Tinajas Altas: A flora in southwestern Arizona. Part 7. Eudicots: Cactaceae - Cactus Family Publication Phytoneuron 2014-69: 1-95 Author Felger R.S. et al Publisher Year 2014 ISBN 2153 733X Description ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is often grown as an ornamental. Peniocereus greggii is threatened by development from roads, power lines, pipelines, and windmill farms. There is also probably some illegal collection for horticulture. Even though some populations have been extirpated, the plant occurs in a wide area and is widely scattered and very difficult to find, which confers the species some protection. 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. ].