PERESKIA

genus of about 20 species of trees, shrubs, and vines, family Cactaceae, native to the West Indies, Mexico, and Central and South America, especially coastal areas. Leafy cactus (P. aculeata), also known as Barbados, or West Indian, gooseberry, is cultivated extensively for hedges, lumber, and its edible fruit. It has large leaves, unique among cacti. P. pititache, the native Mexican species, is treelike, growing to 12 m (about 40 feet) tall.