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Cereus_repandus - (L.) Mill.

Common Name Peruvian apple cactus
Family Cactaceae
USDA hardiness 9-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Often grows in thickets, sometimes forming the dominant feature of the landscape[529 ].
Range Northern S. America - Venezuela; Caribbean - Grenada, Netherlands Antilles.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Cereus_repandus Peruvian apple cactus


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Cereus_repandus Peruvian apple cactus
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Cereus_repandus is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Cactus repandus L.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[377 ]. The white flesh has a mild, sweet flavour[377 ]. The fruits often split open whilst still on the plant[377 ]. The dark red (occasionally white), oblong fruit is 3 - 4cm long[529 ].

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

Good in pots. Cereus repandus is an unresearched, under-utilized cactus, grown mostly as an ornamental plant.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant of drier areas in the tropics. It will stand very high temperatures, but is not too frost hardy - probably able to survive a few degrees of frost[377 ]. Prefers a position in full sun and a well-drained soil[377 ]. Prefers a pH lower than 6[200 ]. Supported by a scaffold, C. repandus has grown to a height of 110 feet (34 meters) technically making this the tallest cactus plant in the world, although no cactus under natural conditions exceeds eighty-two feet (25 meters) in height in the case of C. stenogonus. The large, cream-colored, nocturnal flowers remain open for only one night.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Giant Club Cactus, Hedge Cactus, Apple Cactus, Peruvian Apple Cactus, Peruvian Apple, Peruvian Tree Cactus

Native Range

SOUTHERN AMERICA: Netherlands Antilles, Grenada, Venezuela,

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
Cereus repandusPeruvian apple cactusTree10.0 9-12 SLMNDM301

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.) Mill.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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