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Marcus, Joseph A.

Acanthocereus tetragonus

Acanthocereus tetragonus (L.) Humm.

Triangle Cactus, Barbed-wire Cactus, Chaco

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Synonym(s): Acanthocereus floridanus, Acanthocereus pentagonus, Cactus tetragonus, Cereus pentagonus

USDA Symbol: acte4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), HI (I), VI (N)

Sprawling, clambering or arching-accumbent stems to several meters (up to 2m growth per year), Ribs are sharply-angled, usually 3 on mature stems, 4-5 on juvenile stems. Spiney. Spines variable, usually about 8 per areaole, 2.5-5cm long. Night-flowering, fully open flower 10-20cm in diameter, inner tepals are pure white, slightly fragrant. Fruits are shiny, red and sweet-tasting.

Triangle cactus has large, fragrant white blooms that open at night during the summer and attract hummingbird moths. This cactus is hardy to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

From the Image Gallery

9 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall by 12 feet across.
Flower: Flowers 10-20 cm. Outer tepals greenish-white. Inner tepals pure white. Stamens yellow
Fruit: Red. About 5 cm.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Night-flowering, usually opening near midnight, closing at or about dawn. Flowers are large and slightly fragrant.

Distribution

USA: FL , TX
Native Distribution: Coastal areas of South Texas, Florida, West Indies, Mexico, Central America and northern South America.
Native Habitat: Thickets in sandy, coastal areas.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low , Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Drought Tolerance: High
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Sandy, moist soils.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Garden curiosity.
Use Wildlife: In Florida, endangered Key Largo woodrats eat the stems.
Use Food: Fruit is edible and sweet.
Warning: Painfully spiney plants. May be a garden aggressive.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds , Semi-hardwood Cuttings
Description: May be propagated by seed or by stem cuttings.
Seed Collection: Seed should be removed from fruit pulp and thorougly dried before sowing.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FAC			UPL		FACU	UPL

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Bibliography

Bibref 1119 - Florida Keys Wildflowers: A Guide to the Common Wildflowers of the Florida Keys (2004) Hammer, Roger L.
Bibref 293 - Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas (1979) Correll, D. S. & M. C. Johnston

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Acanthocereus tetragonus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Acanthocereus tetragonus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Acanthocereus tetragonus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-06-07
Research By: Joseph A. Marcus

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