Acanthocereus tetragonus (also called Acanthocereus occidentalis, Acanthocereus acutangulus, Acanthocereus floridanus, A. baxaniensis, A. colombianus, L. Hummelinck, A. horridus, Acanthocereus brasiliensis, Acanthocereus columbianus, Acanthocereus pentagonus, Acanthocereus pitajaya, Acanthocereus princeps, Acanthocereus prismaticus, Cereus validus, A. pentagonus, A. pitajaya, Cactus pentagonus Linnaeus, A. subinermis, Cactus pentagonus, C. pitajaya, tetragonus Linnaeus, C. tetragonus, Cereus pentagonus, C. pitajaya, Barbwire Kaktus segitiga, Pitaya, Chaco, Nun-tsutsuy, Organo, Pitahaya morada, night-blooming cereus, sword-pear, dildo cactus, triangle cactus, and Órgano-alado de pitaya) is a type of barbed-wire cactus that is native to Florida, the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. This cactus is very variable, resulting in numerous names.
Habitats A cactus. It grows in warm places and needs to be very bright. Pitahaya needs to be warmer than 13°C. It grows in sandy soil in thickets, hammocks, and lowlands near the coast, from sea level to 10 meters above sea level.
Description
This dragon fruit is a tall, columnar cactus that can grow up to 2–7 m (6.6–23.0 ft) tall and about 3 feet wide when it’s fully grown. Dark green stems with three to five angles and a diameter of 6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in). In perfect conditions, you can expect 2 to 3 inches of new growth each year, on average.
The spaces between areoles are about 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18 in) and are gray. The spines on central areoles can be up to 4 cm (1.6 in) long, while the spines on radial areoles can be up to 2.5 cm (0.98 in) long. Spines are needle-shaped or subulate, extremely variable, brown, turning gray with age.
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Flower: | White |
| Ideal water conditions: | Moderate in summer / dry in winter |
| Ideal light conditions: | Full sun to partial shade |
| USDA zone information: | 9a - 11 |
| Speed of growth: | Fast |
| One year of growth: | 2' - 3' |
| Mature width: | 3' |
| Mature height: | 20' |
| Crown diameter: | 55 cm |
| Flower diameter: | 13 - 15 cm |
| USDA hardiness: | 10-12 |
| Edibility rating: | 3 of 5 |
| Other uses: | 3 of 5 |
| Weed potential: | Yes |
| Drought tolerance: | High |
| Heat tolerant: | Yes |
| Soil description: | Sandy, moist soils |
The flowers have a diameter of 14–20 cm (5.5–7.9 in) and a tube length of 8–15 cm (3.1–5.9 in). The outer tepals are greenish-white, the inner tepals are pure white, and the pistils are creamy white. From midnight to dawn, the flowers are open, which brings in hummingbird moths.
This plant can be propagated by cuttings or by seeds. It prefers a soil mix that is light and sandy with good drainage.
The fruits are about 5 cm (2.0 in) long and shiny red. In perfect conditions, you can expect 2 to 3 inches of new growth each year, on average. The fruit of the Acanthocereus prismaticus is edible and has a sweet taste. The pulp can be eaten fresh or used to make jam, jellies, or preserves.
The seeds can also be ground into a flour that can be used to make breads, cakes, and other foods. The water stored in the stems of the Acanthocereus acutangulus cactus can be used to drink or to irrigate crops. The branches of this cactus provide good shelter from the sun and wind.
This very spiny, often large, thicket-forming cactus lives in coastal hammocks, thickets, and sandy coastal habitats in central and southern Florida, the Keys, and further south into the Caribbean.
Comes from: Aruba, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Florida, Guatemala, Honduras, Leeward Is., Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panama, Southwest Caribbean, Texas, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, Windward Is.
The Acanthocereus tetragonus can handle cold temperatures (down to approximately 20 degrees F). Flowers bloom at night and are white. Unbelievable, but the diameter of these beautiful flowers is usually between 5″ and 7″. There is a lot of evidence that this species draws butterflies. The color of fruits is red and shiny. Fruit is edible (sweet and delicious).
This type of plant belongs to the same genus as Dragon Fruit. People eat fruit raw, cook it, or turn it into wine. Furthermore, it is sometimes grown outside as a pretty plant. Some people use it as a living fence.
In New Caledonia, the species is a pest.
Soils that are light (sandy) and medium (loamy) are good for it. It likes soil that drains well and can grow in soil that doesn’t have much nutrition / with no humus. Likes a pH between 6 and 7.5. Soils that are slightly acidic, neutral, or basic (slightly alkaline) are good. It can’t grow where it’s too dark. It likes dry soil and can stand being dry. Likewise, it’s hardy to zone 10 in the UK.
Uses
Pitahaya has a number of medicinal and recreational uses. The dried fruit can be smoked, and the juice from the fruit can be used to make wine. It has been known to be used as a treatment for asthma and respiratory problems. The fruit is chewed, and it is believed that the nitrogen in the fruit can help reduce the inflammation of the lungs.
Side effects
This cactus that have been used for centuries in traditional medicine. There are many purported benefits to using this cactus, but are there any side effects? A few small studies have looked at the safety of Acanthocereus tetragonus, but more research is needed. So far, it appears that this cactus is safe to use, but you should always speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement
Some of the possible side effects include: headaches, dizziness, skin rash, and stomach upset. Dragonfruit should not be taken by pregnant women or people with liver or kidney disease. Anyone taking this cactus should consult a doctor before doing so.
Care tips
The cactus needs full sun to partial shade and should be watered regularly, but not overwatered. Fertilize the plant once a month with a balanced fertilizer. Pests and diseases are rare on this plant, but if they occur, treat with a fungicide or insecticide as needed.
Average water requirements, water every week or after the top 3 cm of soil has dried. Water thoroughly until the soil is saturated, and the excess water is completely drained from the drain hole.
Conclusion
Acanthocereus tetragonus is a tall branching cactus with many sharp spines, growing on sandy soils in hot coastal and desert areas. It blooms several times a year for 3-4 weeks, its spectacular white flowers with a red-orange core open at night and close during the day.
The stems of this cactus are easy to root where they come into contact with the ground, it often forms dense thickets and is considered an invasive species in some regions. This barbed-wire cactus is cultivated as an indoor plant, and in the tropics and subtropics it is also used to create hedges.
