Consolea corallicola
Semaphore pricklypear, semaphore cactus
Cactaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
tree
Size:
4-10 ft
Life Span:
long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
red
Fruit Color:
red
Phenology:
evergreen
Noted For:
Showy Flowers, Showy Fruits, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Thorns, Interesting Foliage
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Specimen plant
Considerations:
Distinctly thorny. Will need protection from invasive cactus moth.
Light:
Full Sun, Part Sun
Moisture Tolerance:
Usually moist, occasional inundation ---- to ---- Short very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Lime Rock
Suitable to Grow In:
10A,10B,11
Ecology
Wildlife:
Consolea corallicola has extremely low genetic diversity as the only two natural populations are clones (both functionally male). Currently propagated by planting pads.
Native Habitats:
Tropical rockland hammock, coastal rock barren, freshwater tidal swamp and inland margins of mangrove swamp. Photographs are of specimens planted at Fairchild Botanical Gardens.
