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Perennials, Tropicals > Cereus > Cereus peruvianus > Cereus peruvianus

Cereus peruvianus


Hedge Cactus, Peruvian Apple Cactus, Blue Cereus




Origin:  Peru, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico
Family
Cactaceae
Genus
Cereus
Species
peruvianus
Category
Perennials, Tropicals
USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 11
Canadian Hardiness Zone
Requires cool season protection under glass.
RHS Hardiness Zone
H3 - H1b
Temperature (°C)
0
Temperature (°F)
10
Height
Up to 10 m
Spread
1 - 3 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
General Description
Spreading columnar cactus.
Shape
Tree-like stem succulent, with upright or slightly curved branches. Distinct trunks up to 10 m.
Growth
Slow
Bark/Stem Description
Cylindrical, somewhat slender, segmented, 10 - 20 cm in diameter. Spines are extremely variable, needle-like, and grow up to 5 cm.
Flower Description
12 - 15 cm long, nocturnal, each flower opens for only one night then shrivels. Flowers aren't self-compatible, requires cross-pollination to produce fruit.
Fruit Description
Fruit grow to about 4 cm long, takes 40-50 days to ripen, cracks open during ripening with the flesh sweetening as the fruit opens. Edible flesh contains small edible seeds.
Colour Description
Bark varies from green, grey-green, to blue. Spines are grey. Flowers are white with reddish tips. Fruit are red with white pulp, but skin colour can vary from yellow to deep violet-red.
Texture Description
Smooth.
Notable Specimens
Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
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