Consolea rubescens

Native to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Leeward Islands, this plant is a tree cactus of dry coastal forests, hillsides and thickets. It can reach about thirty feet tall, with a rounded lower trunk, a flattened upper trunk and widely spreading branches. The thin, flattened stem segments are green to reddish green and bear small clusters of brown bristles, often accompanied by pale, needle-like spines. Spiny and nearly spineless forms occur. The small flowers can be yellow, orange or red. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants, although they can retain both visible stamens and a pistil. The fleshy fruits may be spiny or unarmed and can form chains as new fruits develop from the areoles of older ones. Photographed in Florida.