Barbados Gooseberry, Tsunya
Synonym: Cactus pereskia, Pereskia pereskia, Pereskia acardia, Pereskia aculeata var. godseffiana, Pereskia godseffiana, Pereskia aculeata var. rubescens, Pereskia longispina, Pereskia rubescens, Pereskia undulata
Family: Cactaceae
 Show Larger Picture Pereskia aculeata at Holly Gate, photo Terry Hewitt |
Recommended Temperature Zone: USDA: 9b-11 Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 26°F (-3°C) Minimum Avg. Temperature: 50°F (10°C) Heat Tolerance: Light shade in Phoenix in summer Sun Exposure: Morning sun or bright shade Origin: Caribbean and South America, escaped in Central America to Florida Growth Habits: Climbing shrub, up to 20 feet tall (6 m), 1 to 3 short hooked spines, sometimes longer straight spines on older stems, leaves with short petioles, up to 4 inches long (10 cm) Watering Needs: Enjoy some humidity in the air. They need good drainage, but the soil should stay moist in summer. Keep drier in winter. Propagation: Seeds in the spring or cuttings in summer |
The fruits are edible, and in some places, the leaves are used as vegetables.
Blooming Habits:
Strongly scented whitish flowers in clusters, to 1.6 inches in diameter (4 cm), followed by light yellow, edible, spiny fruits, 0.6 to 0.8 in. in diameter. The seeds are dark brown, flattened 4 to 5 mm in diameter.
Propagation:
Contrarily to other cacti, this plant is not succulent, and the cuttings should be planted in a moist soil mixture immediately instead of being left to dry out a couple of days.
References:
Las Cactaceas de Mexico
Gardening in Arizona Home Page |
List of All the Plants |
More in the Cactaceae family © 2004 Philippe Faucon, All Rights Reserved. |