Common Name: Queen of the Night

General Information

Peniocereus greggii is a spiny, succulent, shrubby cactus with erect to sprawling, slender stems up to 300cm long and 10 - 20mm in diameter that look rather like dead sticks. The plant grows from a large, tuberous rootstock that can sometimes reach 60cm. in diameter and weigh up to 50 kilos, though it is more commonly 15 - 20cm long by 5 - 8cm in diameter[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is often grown as an ornamental.
Peniocereus greggii is threatened by development from roads, power lines, pipelines, and windmill farms. There is also probably some illegal collection for horticulture. Even though some populations have been extirpated, the plant occurs in a wide area and is widely scattered and very difficult to find, which confers the species some protection. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southwest N. America - southern Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas, northern Mexico

Habitat

Xerophyllous scrub, often under creosote bushes in desert flats and washes, which further reduces visibility, it also grows on rocky mountain slopes[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Hawkmoths
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Peniocereus greggii is native to arid and semi-arid regions of southwestern N. America. It can tolerate occasional, short-lived light frosts, but the stems are susceptible to freezing, though they are able to regrow rapidly from the large tuberous root[].
In cultivation, Cactus plants generally will not succeed in moist climates. They usually require a sunny position in a well-drained, circumneutral soil and to be kept more or less dry in the dormant season[].
The flowers are spectacularly fragrant, opening shortly after sunset and visited by pollinating hawk moths (Sphingidae), and quickly wilting after sunrise[1991 However, populations of this moth are decreasing due to the heavy use of pesticides locally[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. A sweet and juicy pulp[]. The ovoid fruit is bright red throughout, around 10cm long and 4cm in diameter[].

Root - raw or cooked[]. Baked[]. The raw, peeled root is said to taste like cucumber and can also be chewed to relieve thirst[].

Medicinal

The root is used in the treatment of diabetes and respiratory ailments[, ].

The roots and stems are used as a cardiac stimulant as well as for treating chest pain and shortness of breath[].. It is not like digitalis (Digitalis species) in its effects[].
The plant has been claimed to cure diabetes, and is also used to treat sores[].

Other Uses

The tuberous root can be peeled and used to make a hair wash[].

Propagation

Seed -