Pterocereus gaumeri
(Britton & Rose) T.MacDoug. & Miranda
Cactaceae
Anisocereus foetidus (T.MacDoug. & Miranda) W.T.Marshall
Anisocereus gaumeri (Britton & Rose) Backeb.
Cereus yucatanensis Standl.
Pachycereus foetidus (T.MacDoug. & Miranda) P.V.Heath
Pachycereus gaumeri Britton & Rose
Pterocereus foetidus T.MacDoug. & Miranda
Common Name: Kanzacam
General Information
Pterocereus gaumeri is a spiny, leafless, evergreen, tree-like succulent plant growing up to 8 metres tall. The plant is often unbranched, but can have a trunk up to 150cm high with a few, slender, erect branches[
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 medicine and source of materials, and possibly also as a food.
Pterocereus gaumeri has a small range, and is not abundant, and is intolerant to habitat disturbance. Population decline already caused by the destruction of its habitat for urban and agricultural development is inferred to be greater than 50% , this decline is continuing and populations are now highly fragmented. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
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 - southern Mexico (Veracruz, Quintana Roo, Yucatan)
Habitat
Tropical deciduous forest[
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 | Endangered |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 6.00 m |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Pterocereus gaumeri is a plant of semi-arid regions in southern Mexico. It does not tolerate frosts[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
].
Prefers a sunny position, tolerating light shade. Requires a well-drained soil, established plants are very drought tolerant[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
].
The foul-smelling flowers open at night[
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..
].
Edible Uses
The fruit is said to be white or red, and good to eat[
493- Title
- Flora of Yucatan
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The first flora that was attempted for this area in 1930, so it is obviously lacking information and the Botanical names can be out of date. Still, an excellent work and it records many plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. (As Cereus yucatanensis Standl.,)
Medicinal
The species is used for medicinal purposes[
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.
]. No more information.
Other Uses
The species is used for arts and crafts[
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.
]. No more information.
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
