Cereus peruvianus (L.) J.S. Muell., Cactaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Threat only at high elevations?  no

Other Latin names:  Cereus hildmannianus K. Schum. subsp. hildmannianus

Common name(s): [more details]

English: hedge cactus

Habit:  cactus

Description:  [Description for Cereus hildmannianus K. Schum. used per Vanessa Coronel] "Plants treelike with numerous branches, to 10 m (33 ft) high with distinct trunks.  Stems cylindrical, segmented, blue-green to dull green, often glaucous when young, to 15 cm (5.9) in diameter.  Ribs 4-6, acute, to 3.5 cm (1.4 in) high.  Areoles brown.  Spines usually absent.  Flowers very large, white, 25-30 cm (9.8-12 in) long.  Fruits globose, red with white pulp" (Anderson, 2001; p. 144-145).

Habitat/ecology:  (no habitat/ecology info known by PIER)

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  "Very uncertain, probably Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina" (Anderson, 2001; p. 144-145).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005) infraspecific: 'var. 1'
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005) infraspecific: 'var. monstrosus'
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005) infraspecific: 'var. 1'
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (p. 91)

Comments:  Reported as possibly an invasive plant in the Galápagos Islands per Charles Darwin Research Station.

Additional information:  Additional online information about Cereus peruvianus is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Taxonomic information about Cereus peruvianus may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Anderson, Edward F. 2001. The cactus family. Timber press. 776 pp.

Charles Darwin Research Station. 2005. CDRS Herbarium records.

Florence, J. 2004. Flore de la Polynésie française, Vol. 2. Paris. IRE Editions, Publications Scientifiques, Collection Faune et Flore Tropicales 41. 503 pp.

U. S. Government. 2006. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) (on-line resource).