Botanical Name: Cereus peruvianus
Common Name: Peruvian apple
Type of Plant: dicot: succulent
Character evergreen
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape an upright, clumping form of columnar-stemmed cactus – young plants are usually single-trunked; will develop fleshy blue-green distinctly ribbed upright branches; plants are leafless, with short spines along the ribs
Height 10'- 15' (30')
Spread 2/3 to equal
Growth Rate slow
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors thrives in warm sunny habitats – avoid heavy shade, especially at inland sites
Soil requires well-drained sites (or little water)
Hardiness tender (zones 16, 17, 21-24): prefers warm coastal locations
 
Morphology:
Leaves absent - the blue-green stems are photosynthetic
Flowers very large (to 6" across), white, open at night; arise from the spine-cushions along the ribs; mostly in summer
Fruit a fleshy berry: lavender-rose colored, to 3-4" long, edible
 
Propagation:
seed or stem cuttings
 
Usage:
a large-scale accent shrub (or small tree with age) for desert, subtropical or Mediterranean-theme gardens, valued for its dramatic shape and structure (secondarily for its large flowers); an excellent container plant
 
Landscape Care:
Watering little required after established; water once a month in summer (more frequently if grown in container)
Fertilizing none required
Pruning leave alone for several years; may selectively remove lateral stems back to union with trunk for more open shape
Pests/Diseases relatively free; check for cottony cushion scale
Special Conditions/Other sensitive to severe frosts; other South American species are available
 
Origin: Peru
Family: Cactaceae

Notes:
 
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