The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-12-04

species growing IN the southern part OF the |
State. confined in their wild state for the
most part to the keys (islands) along the
southern and southwestern coast.
Cereus monoclonos, which is the largest
grower, is really quite gigantic in its pro-
portions, sometimes reaching a height of
twenty to thirty feet. It is a columnar
species, resembling in this respect some
of the southwestern and Mexican species
(the mammoth c. giganteus for example,)
much ribbed, of lively green color. and
the spines small, the flowers are rather
small but handsome, in color white. It is
rare except in the islands of Key West and
Upper Matacomba and there the finest
specimens have been destroyed by land
cleaners who knew nothing of its rarity and
probably cared less. In cultivation it is
rare even in large collections of Cacti, al
though very desirable sort for the Cactus
fancier who has space for it.
Cereus splendens ~ or Candle Cactus
as it is locally known, is found growing
along the Gulf Coast nearly as far up as
the latitude Of Tampa. In manner Of
growth it is upright or partially recum-
bent, the stems frequently attaining
length Of fifteen or twenty feet and one and
a half to three inches in diameter. It's
flowers are straw-colored, rich and creamy,
five or six inches in diameter and night
blooming followed by spherical fruit which
is bright red when ripe, two inches in dia-
meter, and is sometimes eaten. In appear
ance the plant much resembles the Cuban
C. columb rinus, and it forms an excellent
stock on which to graft some Of the droop-
ing sorts.
The third native species is Cereus vari-
abilis, an upright or scrambling sort which
frequently forms impenetrable thickets ten
feet high. The stems are stout, dark shin
ing green. one to three inches in diameter
and three to six-sided. The spines, which
are few and set far apart. are very stout
and render large plant formidable OBJ
ject to overcome and a safe retreat for
small rodents and the like It's flowers
are handsome, white and nocturnal
Cereus triangularis has become natural
lied on the island of Key West at least
where it may be seen climbing over the
trees and bushes It is native of Mexico
| and the West Indies and was first brought
to Florida and New Orleans more than
fifty years ago by Dr. Perrine who intro.
duced many economic plants in South Flor
ida where he finally persisted in an Indian
massacre. This species Of Cactus is some
times known as Strawberry Pear on account
of its bright, scarlet fruit the size of goose
egg, which contains a pleasant sweet pulp
enclosing numerous black seeds, the flavor
of which is compared to Strawberries, The
blossom is one of the largest and hand
soonest Of all the night-blooning Cere and
| the scaly buds are used as an ingredient in
soups, as they formerly were in the cele-
! brated 'pepper-pots" of the West Indies.
The common Prickly Pear, Opuntia vul-
garis. which is found wild as far north as
| the Massachusetts, coast, is a common
growth all over Florida except in moist To-
calities. It is one Of the handsomest flow
cred species Of the entire genus, producing
its large rich golden yellow flowers in pro-
fusion A Deculiar interest is attached to