Harrisia martinii (Labour.) Britton

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Photo: Penny English
Towla HQ

Synonyms:	Eriocereus martinii (Labour) Riccob.
Common names:	Martin'sapplecactus (English) Moon cactus (English) Torch cactus (English)
Description:	Spiny succulent shrub, 1-3 m high with branched, scrambling, often decumbent stems rooting at the nodes. Cladodes bright green, cylindrical, 20-40 mm in diameter, ribbed. Spines clustered with 1-2 central spines much longer than others. Leaves absent. Flowers showy, white 15-20 cm long, opening at night. Fruit spherical, pinkish-red outside, white inside with black seeds.
Notes:	Mostly planted as an ornamental but and in Zimbabwe only very occasionally known as a naturalized escape. A declared weed in South Africa.
Derivation of specific name:
Flowering time:	Nov - Jan
Worldwide distribution:	Native to South America but known as a naturalised and invasive species in Australia, Africa and Hawai.
Growth form(s):
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Image last updated:	Thursday 26 May 2016
Literature:	Bromilow, C. (2010). Problem Plants and Alien Weeds of South Africa Briza Publications, South Africa Page 375. (Includes a picture). Henderson, L. (2001). Alien weeds and invasive plants Plant Protection Research Institute Handbook No. 12. Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Council, South Africa. Page 86. (Includes a picture).

Flora of Zimbabwe: Harrisia martinii

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Harrisia martinii
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Harrisia martinii
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Harrisia martinii
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Harrisia martinii
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iNaturalist: Harrisia martinii
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Harrisia martinii
JSTOR Plant Science: Harrisia martinii
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Harrisia martinii
Plants of the World Online: Harrisia martinii
Tropicos: Harrisia martinii
Wikipedia: Harrisia martinii