Barbados Gooseberry
Pereskia aculeata
Species Info General
Family: Cactaceae
Barbados gooseberry is a cactus from the West Indies that is invading Hawaii. If left unchecked, it can form a dense canopy that quickly smothers out native vegetation under a solid blanket of vines.
Identification/Description
- Barbados gooseberry is a viny cactus from the West Indies. It is an erect woody liana when young and later a thorny vine that can climb up trees. The 2-4 inch long, eye-shaped leaves are a dark glossy green. It is covered in clusters of long slender spines (1-2 inches long). The flowers are white, yellowish, or pinkish. The ½ – ¾ inch wide fruits are round or oval and yellow, orange, or red in color.
Impacts
- This invasive plant can grow without soil from any plant parts in the tops of tree canopies
- A viny cactus that forms dense, thorny thickets
- Spread by birds and animals
- Grows over other plants and trees smothering them
- Porcupine like spines cause injury to humans and animals
- Has become a major weed in South Africa where it is an escaped ornamental
In Hawaii
- Molokai – Present in Halawa Valley. MoMISC is working to eradicate this species.
- Oahu – Known from cultivation at experiment stations in Honolulu and Haleiwa. Not currently an OISC target. Landowners are asked to remove this pest and replace with a non-invasive alternate.
- Kauai, Lanai, Kahoolawe – Presence/absence unknown
What can you do?
Learn to identify invasive species and report it to MoMISC. Grow natives instead of non-native plants. Encourage your friends to do the same. If you believe that you have seen this plant, record its location (GPS if possible), try to collect it, and call MoMISC (808) 480-8191. Since this pest has a low distribution on Molokai, it is important to report it. We can help with identification, survey, and removal of this pest.
