Rhodocactus stenanthus
(F.Ritter) I.Asai & K.Miyata
Cactaceae
Pereskia stenantha F.Ritter
Common Name: Espinha de Santo Antonio
General Information
Rhodocactus stenanthus is a spiny, deciduous shrub or small tree-like plant, usually growing 2 - 4 metres tall, exceptionally reaching 6 metres. The trunk is up to 15cm in diameter, with erect to arching branches forming at or near the base[
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 often grown as a hedge plant in eastern Brazil.
Rhodocactus stenanthus is fairly widespread and common. It has been taken into cultivation as a hedge plant
in the region where it is native. Furthermore, it is not exposed to any major threat. 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..
,
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 - eastern Brazl (Bahia, Minas Gerais)
Habitat
Dry forests, where it prefers a calcareous habitat; at elevations from 400 - 750 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 |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Deciduous Tree |
| Height | 3.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental |
Cultivation Details
Rhodocactus stenanthus is a plant of the 'Caatinga' dry forest region of northeast Brazil. The climate is hot and dry, there are usually 6 to 11 months without rain each year. The mean annual rainfall varies from 250 - 1,000mm, and the mean annual temperature is from 24 - 26°c.
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
None known
Medicinal
None known
Agroforestry Uses:
The plant is often grown as a hedge plant in 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 - 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[
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.
].
Easily grown from cuttings of half-ripe wood, taken during the dry season[
336- Title
- Fruits of Warm Climates
- Publication
-
- Author
- Morton. J.
- Publisher
- Florida Flair books, Florida.
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0961018410
- Description
- A very well written guide to about 125 species.
,
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.
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
