Pereskia Mill.

1 species naturalized Aust.; Qld, NSW

*Pereskia aculeata Mill.

Woody erect to spreading shrub, branches to 10 m long. Spines 1–5 cm in clusters along stem. Leaf axils with pairs of shorter curved spine. Leaves obovate to elliptic, 4–7 cm long, 20–30 mm wide. Flowers white, yellow or pink. Stamens numerous, shorter than the perianth. Ovary with leafy scales and sometimes spines. Fruit obovoid, 15–20 mm diam., fleshy, yellowish. Along river banks. Hawkesbury. Rarely naturalized. Introd. from America. Barbados Gooseberry