Rhodocactus sacharosa
(Griseb.) Backeb.
Cactaceae
Pereskia moorei Britton & Rose
Pereskia sacharosa Griseb.
Pereskia saipinensis Cárdenas
Pereskia sparsiflora F.Ritter
Rhodocactus saipinensis (Cárdenas) Backeb.
Common Name: Cuguchi
General Information
Rhodocactus sacharosa is a spiny, deciduous shrub or small tree-like plant usually growing around 2 - 5 metres tall, exceptionally to 7 metres[
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..
,
1988- Title
- Pereskia (Cactaceae)
- Publication
- Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden Volume 41
- Author
- Leuenberger B.E.
- Publisher
- The New York Botanical Garden; Bronx, New York
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- 0-89327-307-4
- Description
- The genus Pereskia (sensu lato) has been divided into several genera since this treatment was written, but it still remains an excellent guide to the plants.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.It is grown as an impenetrable, stock-proof hedge.
Rhodocactus sacharosa is widely distributed, is common and abundant, and there are no major threats affecting it. It also occurs in many protected areas. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[
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
1988- Title
- Pereskia (Cactaceae)
- Publication
- Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden Volume 41
- Author
- Leuenberger B.E.
- Publisher
- The New York Botanical Garden; Bronx, New York
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- 0-89327-307-4
- Description
- The genus Pereskia (sensu lato) has been divided into several genera since this treatment was written, but it still remains an excellent guide to the plants.
Range
S. America - northern Argentina, Paraguay, eastern Brazil, Bolivia
Habitat
Undergrowth and forest edges and clearings; at elevations up to 1,500 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 |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Deciduous Shrub |
| Height | 3.50 m |
| Cultivation Status | 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[
1988- Title
- Pereskia (Cactaceae)
- Publication
- Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden Volume 41
- Author
- Leuenberger B.E.
- Publisher
- The New York Botanical Garden; Bronx, New York
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- 0-89327-307-4
- Description
- The genus Pereskia (sensu lato) has been divided into several genera since this treatment was written, but it still remains an excellent guide to the plants.
].
Species in this genus generally prefes a well-drained, circum-neutral soil in a sunny position[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Edible Uses
Leaves - cooked. The long leaves are eaten as a vegetable[
1438- Title
- Food Plants in the Americas: A Survey of the Domesticated, Cultivated, and Wild Plants Used for Human Food in North,
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kermath B.M.; Bennett B.C.' Pulsipher L.M.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A pre-publication draft of an amazing, on-going work first started in 1985. It contains information on more than 3,900 taxa from the Americas - from Arctic regions to the Tropics
].
Medicinal
None known
Agroforestry Uses:
The plant is grown as a hedge within its native range[
1988- Title
- Pereskia (Cactaceae)
- Publication
- Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden Volume 41
- Author
- Leuenberger B.E.
- Publisher
- The New York Botanical Garden; Bronx, New York
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- 0-89327-307-4
- Description
- The genus Pereskia (sensu lato) has been divided into several genera since this treatment was written, but it still remains an excellent guide to the plants.
]. 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[
1988- Title
- Pereskia (Cactaceae)
- Publication
- Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden Volume 41
- Author
- Leuenberger B.E.
- Publisher
- The New York Botanical Garden; Bronx, New York
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- 0-89327-307-4
- Description
- The genus Pereskia (sensu lato) has been divided into several genera since this treatment was written, but it still remains an excellent guide to the plants.
].
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.
