Flora of Zimbabwe: Cultivated plants
Harrisia martinii
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Photo: Penny English
Towla HQ
Photo: Penny English
Towla HQ
Photo: Penny English
Towla HQ
Photo: Penny English
Towla HQ
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| 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). |
Other sources of information about Harrisia martinii:
Our websites:
Flora of Zimbabwe: Harrisia martiniiExternal websites:
African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Harrisia martiniiAfrican Plant Database: Harrisia martinii
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Harrisia martinii
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Harrisia martinii
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Harrisia martinii
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
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