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Rhodocactus grandifolius (Haw.) F.M.Knuth
| Family Name: | Cactaceae |
| Synonyms: | Pereskia grandifolia Haw., Cactus grandifolius |
| Common Name: | Rose Cactus, Pray-For-Us, 木麒麟 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Brazil |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large shrub or small tree up to 5 m tall with a rounded crown. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Thick, fleshy leaves are elliptic to oblong-lanceolate (oval to intermediate between elongated and lance-shaped). |
| Flowers | Rose-like flowers have pink to purplish-pink petals and green sepals (3-5 cm wide). They are arranged in branched clusters known as panicles near the stem tip. |
| Fruit | Pear-shaped fruits (4-10 cm long) are typically yellow, but sometimes red or green. |
| Similar | The vegetative parts of Pereskia bleo and P. grandifolia look similar, but P. bleo has orangish-red flowers, while P. grandifolia has pink to purplish-pink flowers. P. grandifolia also has thicker, smoother leaves with fewer, but longer spines compared to P. bleo. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: In India, this species is used to reduce swelling. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, Purple |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden, Red, Green |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Black |
| Mature Seed Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1031 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2325 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |