Road kill cactus
Consolea rubescens
Cactus family (Cactaceae)
Least concern
Ends up being of only one gender
This 6 m tall cactus grows along the sandy coasts of the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico. The central stem is a somewhat flattened, grey cylinder from which young, fresh, green cladodes appear. As the stem matures it becomes woody and takes on a brownish hue. The common name in English is the ‘road kill’ cactus, allegedly because its green cladodes are so flat they looks like they have just been run over by a car.
After pollination the yellow flowers develop tasty red fruits. Prior to this an interesting process has played out within the flowers. Each flower begins by being monoecious (with both male and female reproductive units present), then either the male stamens or the female pistil dies. What remains is either a male flower with pollen or a female flower with a pistil. In this way each Consolea rubescens plant is both male and female.
Themes
Crown jewel in the Zuidas Botanic Garden.
Details
| Description: | Succulent, treelike cactus up to 6 m tall and 15 cm in diameter. |
|---|---|
| Distributions: | Lesser antilles, puerto rico and the virgin islands. grows at elevations from 0 - 50 m asl. |
| Habitat: | Dry forest on sandy soils in coastal areas. |
| Year cycle: | Perennial (trees and shrubs included) |
| Hardiness: | 34 - 41 f (tender - cool or frost-free glasshouse) |
| Flowering period: | April - juni |
| Flower color: | Orange, red, yellow |
| Fruit color: | Red |
| Notes on fruits: | The reddish fruit can reach to 8 cm in diameter. |