From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pereskia aculeata (Barbados gooseberry) is a species of Pereskia, a genus of unusual cacti with spiny non-succulent stems and large leaves. It is native to tropical America.
It is a scrambling vine growing to 10 m tall in trees, with stems 2-3 cm thick. The leaves are 4-11 cm long and 1.5-4 cm broad, simple, entire, and deciduous in the dry season. The flowers are white, 2.5-5 cm diameter, and numerous, produced in panicles. The fruit is a yellow to orange berry 2 cm in diameter, edible, containing numerous small seeds. It somewhat resembles the gooseberry in appearance, is generally yellow in color and of excellent flavor.
[edit] References
- Taylor (2002). Pereskia aculeata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 09 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
- Grocer's Encyclopedia: The Encyclopedia of Food and Beverage, by Artemas Ward, New York, 1911.
