Description: Trees, shrubs or scramblers. Stems straight or zig-zag. Areoles with spines in pairs or clusters; glochids absent.
Leaves ± succulent, broad, flat, ± persistent.
Flowers mostly clustered in axillary or terminal panicles or corymbs. Hypanthium not formed beyond ovary. Perianth multiseriate. Stamens numerous, shorter than perianth. Ovary shortly inferior, areolate, with numerous leafy scales, often spiny.
Fruit ± obovoid, fleshy; seeds black.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 20 species, Mexico to South America. Australia: 1 species (naturalized).
Text by G. J. Harden
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Pereskia aculeata |
|
