Common Name: Rose Cactus

General Information

Rhodocactus grandifolius is a spiny, much-branched, deciduous shrubby or low-branching small tree-like plant, usually growing around 2 - 5 metres tall, exceptionally reaching 10 metresl. The bole is up to 20cm in diameter and is generously endowed with spines[, , ]. Although a member of the cactus family, this shrub is virtually not succulent and has fleshy leaves[].
The edible leaves and fruits are sometimes gathered from the wild and used locally. The plant is also used as a hedge and is commonly grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it is valued for its flowers and decorative fruits.
Rhodocactus grandifolius has a wide range and appears to be abundant in the wild, though it is unclear if plants are truly wild or escapes from cultivaton. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

S. America - southern and eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Dry forests and savannah; at elevations from 60 - 150 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	8.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Most Rhodocactus species occur in dry forests and thorn-scrub habitats in a tropical climate with a more or less pronounced dry season of about two to five months[]. This species can tolerate temperatures down to about -3°c, though the leaves are deciduous at temperatures below 10°c[].
Succeeds in full sun or light shade[]. Requires a moist but well-drained soil[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7.5[].
The plant is widely cultivated as an ornamental in the Tropics. It has become naturalized in many areas of South and Central America[].
Unlike other species in this genus that only open their flowers for one day, the flowers of this species are usually open for two days[].
The fruits are produced in clusters of 1 - 12 (exceptionally 30) fruits[].
Species in this genus are deciduous under conditions with seasonal drought and, in cultivation, also lose their leaves if the mean temperature falls below around 15°c[].
Plants can resprout from the base if cut down[].
The plant contains a mucilage. When the fresh or dried, sectioned fruits are put in water, the mucilage swells and exudes in large amounts from the cut mucilage cavities[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[].

Fruit[]. The pulp is eaten[]. The green or reddish-green to yellowish, pear-shaped fruits are produced in clusters. Individual fruits are 50 - 100mm long and 30 - 70mm in diameter, with a fruit wall 7 - 12mm thick[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is very spiny and forms an effective barrier. It is widely used for hedging in tropical America[, ]. Cuttings around 100cm long are taken during the dry season and placed fairly close to each other to form a living fence of spiny canes. This soon develops into an impenetrable, stock-proof hedge[].

Other Uses

We have no specific description of the wood for this species, but the general description for the wood from Pereskia species (sensu lato) is as follows:-The wood is yellow, without difference between softwood and heartwood. The texture is medium, soft grain, straight fibre, with no characteristic odour or taste[],

Propagation

Seed - fresh seed can be slow to germinate, it is best to sow seed that is between several months to 2 years old and this should germinate after a few days. Even when five years old, seed can have a 50% germination rate[].
Easily grown from cuttings of half-ripe wood, taken during the dry season[, ].
Small cuttings taken from flowering shoots will continue to produce flowers every year as small pot plants[]..

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