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Pereskia sacharosa - Griseb

Common Name Guayapa, Sacharosa, Cuguchi
Family Cactaceae
USDA hardiness 9-11
Known Hazards Spines or sharp edges.
Habitats This species occurs in sotobosque, forest edges, and clearings. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,500 m above sea level.
Range Native to Brazil, Paraguay and lowland of the Andes in northwestern Uruguay region. It widely cultivated elsewhere around the world.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Pereskia sacharosa Guayapa, Sacharosa, Cuguchi


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Pereskia sacharosa Guayapa, Sacharosa, Cuguchi
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Summary

A fast-growing tree-like or shrubby plant, growing between 2-7 m tall but generally up to 4 m in height. Unlike other members of the cactus family, this beauty is the only cactus genus that has persistent non-succulent leaves.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Pereskia sacharosa is an evergreen Perennial growing to 4 m (13ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Pereskia moorei Britton & Rose; Pereskia saipinensis Cardenas; Pereskia sparsiflora F. Ritter; Rhodocactus sacharosa (Griseb.) Backeb.; Rhodocactus saipinensis (Cardenas) Backeb.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Edible Portion: Leaves. Leaves can be consumed raw as a side dish of salad. Also, can be made into a concoction brewed from fresh leaves and drink as tea.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None Known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Carbon Farming Solutions - Agroforestry Services: living fence (Agroforestry is a land use management system in which trees or shrubs are grown around or among crops or pastureland). Ornamental. Pot. Flowering hedge. Its highly ornamental in a flower bed or borders.

Special Uses

Carbon Farming

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Agroforestry Services: Living fence  Management: Standard  Regional Crop

Climate: tropical. Humidity: arid to semi-arid. Light: Full sun for optimum growth and flowering. Partial shade OK. Moisture: Moderate water requirements. It is drought resistant but leaves drop in dry conditions. Prefers humus-enriched, loamy and well-drained soils. Soil pH requirements: 6.1 (mildly acidic) to 7.8 (mildly alkaline). It tolerates acidic soil. USDA Hardiness Zone 9-11. Recommended minimum winter temperature of 10°C. Plants kept perfectly dry can survive low temps of approximately -3°C. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: regional crop. Management: standard (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation) [1-1].

Carbon Farming

  • Agroforestry Services: Living fence  Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.
  • Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
  • Regional Crop  These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Propagation

By seeds and stem cuttings. The cuttings should be planted immediately without a dry out period.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Needle Seven Blade, Seven Star Needle, Rose Cactus, Tree Cancer, Jarum Tujuh Bilah, Pereskia, Sacharosa, Cuguchi, Guyapa, Poxkitak, Sacha rosa

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, South America. Native to Brazil, Paraguay and lowland of the Andes in northwestern Uruguay region. In Argentina, in Chaco, Formosa, Jujuy and Salta; in Bolivia, in Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, and Tarija; Paraguay and in Brazil in Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. It occurs at elevations of up to 1,500 m. It widely cultivated elsewhere around the world.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Least Concern

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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