Serge Melki from Indianapolis, USA · CC BY 2.0
About
Also known as the Peruvian apple cactus, *Cereus repandus* is a large, striking columnar cactus that can reach impressive heights, giving it a tree-like appearance. Its fruits, locally called pitaya or Peruvian apple, are edible and contain small, crunchy seeds, making them an important food source for local wildlife.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant has cylindrical gray-green to blue stems that can reach 10 metres (33 feet) in height and 10–20 cm in diameter. It features nine to ten rounded ribs, and the areoles bear variable, gray, needle-like thorns, with the longest reaching up to 5 centimeters. The large, cream-colored, nocturnal flowers open for one night, and the thornless fruits vary in color from violet-red to yellow.
Distribution & habitat
South America, specifically mentioned in the La Guajira Peninsula of Colombia and Venezuela, and in arid regions.
Habitat
- Altitude
- —
- Altitude Class
- —
- Native To
- Colombia, Venezuela
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- easy
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