Prickly applecactus

Description

Harrisia aboriginum, the prickly applecactus, is a species of cactus endemic to peninsular Florida, on the Gulf Coast of the counties of Lee, Sarasota County, and Charlotte.Only 12 occurrences are known, and the species is threatened by horticultural collection, shading from fire suppression, competition from invasive flora, and habitat destruction. Harrisia (applecactus and moonlight cactus) is a genus of night blooming cacti native to Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, and the U.S. state of Florida. The genus is named after William Harris, an important botanist of Jamaica. There are about 20 species. Harrisia cactus is an exotic invasive in Queensland, Africa, and the U.S. state of Hawaii.