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Wild Florida Photo - Harrisia fragrans - Fragrant Prickly Apple

Harrisia fragrans Small ex Britton & Rose

Fragrant Prickly Apple
Indian River Prickly-apple
Caribbean Applecactus

Synonym(s): Cereus eriophorus var. fragrans, Harrisia simpsonii

Florida native

Endemic to Florida

Endangered Florida species

U.S. Endangered species

Volusia Co. FL 06/06/15
St. Lucie Co. FL 05/24/09
Volusia Co. FL 06/13/15
Volusia Co. FL 06/13/15
Volusia Co. FL 06/13/15
Volusia Co. FL 06/13/15
Volusia Co. FL 06/13/15
Volusia Co. FL 06/13/15
Volusia Co. FL 06/13/15
St. Lucie Co. FL 05/24/09
Volusia Co. FL 06/06/15
St. Lucie Co. FL 05/24/09
St. Lucie Co. FL 05/24/09

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This rare cactus was for some time only found in St. Lucie County, Florida, but it has just been recently rediscovered in Volusia County, although historically it ranged all along the east coast between these two counties. The habitat is scrubby flatwoods, xeric coastal hammocks and shell middens.
Harrisia fragrans has several common names, including Fragrant Prickly-apple, Indian River Prickly-apple, Caribbean Applecactus and Simpson's Applecactus. Fragrant prickly apple is an erect, sometimes branched or leaning, tree cactus 1-5 m (3-16 ft) tall, having slender cylindrical spiny stems with 10 or more ridges. Spines are grey with yellow tips, 2.5-4 cm (1 to 1-1/2 in) long, 9-13 per cluster, with one spine longer than the others. The showy, solitary flowers open at night, are 13-20 cm (5-8 in) long with a long scaly floral tube and numerous white petals, turning pink the next morning. Fruits are round, 5 cm (2 in) in diameter, green at first, turning red at maturity.
Harrisia fragrans can be differentiated from other night blooming cacti such as Cereus and Selenicereus species by having ten or more ridges on the stems that are not more than about 5cm (2 in.) in diameter.

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Harrisia fragrans is a member of the Cactaceae - Cactus family.


Date record last modified: Dec 23, 2023


Paul Rebmann Nature Photography at pixels.com