Peniocereus viperinus
(F.A.C.Weber) Kreuz.
Cactaceae
Cereus viperinus F.A.C.Weber
Cullmannia viperina (F.A.C.Weber) Distefano
Peniocereus tomentosus (Bravo) Buxb.
Wilcoxia tomentosa Bravo
Wilcoxia viperina (F.A.C.Weber) Britton & Rose
Common Name:
General Information
Peniocereus viperinus is a somewhat spiny, succulent, shrubby cactus growing from a fleshy, robust rootstock. It produces numerous branched, trailing stems, growing up to 3 metres tall. The stems become spine-free with age[
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..
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is grown as an ornamental[
2008- Title
- Estudio Etnobotánico de Zapotitlán Salinas, Puebla
- Publication
- Acta Botanica Mexicana 79: 13-61 (2007)
- Author
- Paredes-Flores M., Saade R.L. & Aranda P.D.D.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2007
- ISBN
- 0187-7151
- Description
-
].
Peniocereus viperinus has a wide range and occurs in a protected area. The species is affected by habitat modification due to expanding small-scale farming and cattle ranching, but it is not declining at a rate sufficient to warrant listing in a threatened category. 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.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
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..
Range
Southern N. America - southwest Mexico (Morelos, Puebla, Oaxaca)
Habitat
Tropical deciduous forests, xerophyllous scrub and cardonales; at elevations from 1,000 - 1,700 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.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Climber |
| Height | 3.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw[
2008- Title
- Estudio Etnobotánico de Zapotitlán Salinas, Puebla
- Publication
- Acta Botanica Mexicana 79: 13-61 (2007)
- Author
- Paredes-Flores M., Saade R.L. & Aranda P.D.D.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2007
- ISBN
- 0187-7151
- Description
-
]. The fruits are pear-shaped[
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..
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
