Barbed wire Cereus, Pitahaya Anaranjada

Scientific Name: Acanthocereus tetragonus (L.) Hummelinck
Synonym: Acanthocereus acutangulus, Acanthocereus brasiliensis, Acanthocereus columbianus, Acanthocereus floridanus, Acanthocereus pentagonus, Acanthocereus pitajaya, Acanthocereus princeps, Cactus pitajaya, Cactus prismaticus, Cereus acutangulus, Cereus pentagonus
Family: Cactaceae

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to at least 25°F (-4°C)

Sun Exposure: Light shade to shade

Origin: South Texas to Venezuela, on the Atlantic coast of Central America

Growth Habits: Creeping cactus, occasionally columnar and shrubby, older trunks are rounded; up to 20 feet long or tall (6 m), 3-angled to 5-angled, areoles around 1 inch apart (2.5 cm); dark grey spines, 1 or more centrals, 6 to 8 radials.

Propagation: Cuttings, seeds

This species has been in cultivation all around the caribbean for its fruits. It is very variable.

Blooming Habits:
Flowers light green with brown wool outside, purplish cream inside. It blooms at night in late summer. The flowers are followed by 1 inch in diameter (2.5 cm), red, oblong, edible fruits