Barbados Gooseberry, Tsunya
Scientific Name: Pereskia aculeata Mill.
Synonym: Cactus pereskia, Pereskia acardia, Pereskia aculeata var. godseffiana , Pereskia aculeata var. rubescens , Pereskia godseffiana, Pereskia longispina, Pereskia pereskia, Pereskia rubescens, Pereskia undulata
Family: Cactaceae
Pereskia aculeata at Holly Gate, photo Terry Hewitt
Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 26°F (-3°C)
Origin: Caribbean and South America, escaped in Central America to Florida
Growth Habits: Climbing shrub, up to 20 feet tall (6 m), 1 to 3 short hooked spines, sometimes longer straight spines on older stems, leaves with short petioles, up to 4 inches long (10 cm)
Pereskia aculeata at Holly Gate, photo Terry Hewitt
A common variety of Pereskia aculeata is sold as Pereskia godseffiana, the valid name seems to be Pereskia aculeata var. rubescens. It is a pretty form that has leaves variegated with red.
The fruits are edible, and in some places, the leaves are used as vegetables.
Blooming Habits:
Strongly scented whitish flowers in clusters, to 1.6 inches in diameter (4 cm), followed by light yellow, edible, spiny fruits, 0.6 to 0.8 in. in diameter. The seeds are dark brown, flattened 4 to 5 mm in diameter.
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