Martin applecactus

Description

Harrisia martinii, commonly called the Martin applecactus, is a species of night-blooming, rope-like cacti native to South America. With large showy flowers that attract the hawk moth, it is considered by some a useful landscape plant in areas that do not freeze. Harrisia martinii is considered an exotic invasive in Australia, South Africa, and the U.S. state of Hawaii. The plant is spiny with edible red globular fruit. Harrisia (applecactus and moonlight cactus) is a genus of night blooming cacti native to Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, and the U.S. state of Florida. The genus is named after William Harris, an important botanist of Jamaica. There are about 20 species. Harrisia cactus is an exotic invasive in Queensland,Africa, and the U.S. state of Hawaii. The genera Eriocereus (A.Berger) Riccob. and Roseocereus Backeb. have been brought into synonymy with this genus.