Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Accepted names, synonyms and distribution. A citation beside a taxon leads to its record.
Accessed 2026-10-08.
Leafy cacti
Literature for both genera
Publications used in the profiles, with bibliographic details and commentary.
Basal cactus phylogeny: implications of Pereskia (Cactaceae) paraphyly for the transition to the cactus life form
Edwards E. J., Nyffeler R., Donoghue M. J., Basal cactus phylogeny: implications of Pereskia (Cactaceae) paraphyly for the transition to the cactus life form, American Journal of Botany, 2005, 92(7):1177-1188, doi: 10.3732/ajb.92.7.1177
Analysis of five DNA regions revealed distinct lineages within broadly circumscribed Pereskia. The paper reconstructs relationships and the sequence of stem structural changes in leafy cacti.
Leuenbergeria, a new genus in Cactaceae
Lodé J., Leuenbergeria, a new genus in Cactaceae, Cactus-Aventures International, 2013, (97):25-27
The publication introduces Leuenbergeria and eight new species-name combinations. It links the proposed division to earlier DNA results and stem features.
Relictual vegetative anatomical characters in Cactaceae: the genus Pereskia
Mauseth J. D., Landrum J. V., Relictual vegetative anatomical characters in Cactaceae: the genus Pereskia, Journal of Plant Research, 1997, 110(1):55-64, doi: 10.1007/bf02506843
The vegetative anatomy comparison includes Pereskia in its historical broad sense. It compares leaves, primary cortex and wood with more strongly succulent cacti.
Ecological physiology of Pereskia guamacho, a cactus with leaves
Edwards E. J., Diaz M., Ecological physiology of Pereskia guamacho, a cactus with leaves, Plant, Cell & Environment, 2006, 29(2):247-256, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2005.01417.x
Field measurements of Leuenbergeria guamacho (Pereskia guamacho in the older treatment) cover gas exchange, acidity and water relations in Venezuela. They analyse site differences and the dominant role of C₃ photosynthesis.
Pereskia, Maihuenia, and Blossfeldia—Taxonomic History, Updates, and Notes
Leuenberger B. E., Pereskia, Maihuenia, and Blossfeldia—Taxonomic History, Updates, and Notes, Haseltonia, 2008, 14:54-93, doi: 10.2985/1070-0048-14.1.54
The account documents name history and observations of living leafy cacti, Maihuenia and Blossfeldia. It also contains greenhouse accounts of unusual roots and germination within fruits.
Molecular Phylogenetics of the Leafy Cactus Genus Pereskia (Cactaceae)
Butterworth C. A., Wallace R. S., Molecular Phylogenetics of the Leafy Cactus Genus Pereskia (Cactaceae), Systematic Botany, 2005, 30(4):800-808, doi: 10.1600/036364405775097806
Plastid DNA analyses reveal distinct lineages within historical Pereskia. The authors compare relationships of yellow-flowered species, among others.
Bleogens: Cactus-Derived Anti-Candida Cysteine-Rich Peptides with Three Different Precursor Arrangements
Loo S., Kam A., Xiao T., Tam J. P., Bleogens: Cactus-Derived Anti-Candida Cysteine-Rich Peptides with Three Different Precursor Arrangements, Frontiers in Plant Science, 2017, 8:2162, doi: 10.3389/fpls.2017.02162
The paper identifies cysteine-rich peptides in Leuenbergeria bleo (Pereskia bleo in the publication). It presents laboratory results for a specific molecule's activity against Candida.
Pereskia marcanoi, a New Species of Cactaceae from Hispaniola
Areces-Mallea A. E., Pereskia marcanoi, a New Species of Cactaceae from Hispaniola, Brittonia, 1992, 44(4):423-428, doi: 10.2307/2807192
The original description of Leuenbergeria marcanoi (Pereskia marcanoi in the publication) concerns Dominican Republic material. It presents plant structure and separation of flower sexual functions.
Abiotic Stress and Biofertilizer on the Pereskia bleo (Kunth) DC. Against Growth, Proline, and Antioxidant
Dullah I. C., Sulandjari, Supriyono, Abiotic Stress and Biofertilizer on the Pereskia bleo (Kunth) DC. Against Growth, Proline, and Antioxidant, SAINS TANAH – Journal of Soil Science and Agroclimatology, 2019, 16(1):36-45, doi: 10.20961/stjssa.v16i1.25158
The greenhouse study covers 54 Leuenbergeria bleo plants (Pereskia bleo in the paper) grown from cuttings. It compares water availability, salinity and a microbial preparation in terms of growth and chlorophyll and proline content.
Embryology and Seed Development in Pereskia lychnidiflora (Cactaceae)
Jiménez-Durán K., Arias-Montes S., Cortés-Palomec A., Márquez-Guzmán J., Embryology and Seed Development in Pereskia lychnidiflora (Cactaceae), Haseltonia, 2014, 19:3-12, doi: 10.2985/026.019.0102
The paper describes embryology and seed development of Leuenbergeria lychnidiflora (Pereskia lychnidiflora in the publication). Material came from a population in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Phylogenomics and classification of Cactaceae based on hundreds of nuclear genes
de Vos J. M., Eggli U., Nyffeler R., Larridon I., McGinnie C., Epitawalage N., Maurin O., Forest F., Baker W. J., Phylogenomics and classification of Cactaceae based on hundreds of nuclear genes, Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2025, 311(5):28, doi: 10.1007/s00606-025-01948-z
The study analyses hundreds of nuclear genes and their agreement in reconstructing Cactaceae relationships. It presents a revised classification of subfamilies, tribes and genera with morphological descriptions.
An Emendation of Rhodocactus, a Genus Segregated from Pereskia (Cactaceae)
Asai I., Miyata K., An Emendation of Rhodocactus, a Genus Segregated from Pereskia (Cactaceae), The Journal of Japanese Botany, 2016, 91(1):7-12
The authors propose separating Rhodocactus from Pereskia. They compare leaf presence on short shoots and explain their own taxonomic division.
Correlated evolution of stem and leaf hydraulic traits in Pereskia (Cactaceae)
Edwards E. J., Correlated evolution of stem and leaf hydraulic traits in Pereskia (Cactaceae), New Phytologist, 2006, 172(3):479-489, doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2006.01850.x
The study compares leaf and stem hydraulic conductance of seven leafy cacti. It analyses covariation of water transport and stomatal behaviour.
Pereskia and the Origin of the Cactus Life‐Form
Edwards E. J., Donoghue M. J., Pereskia and the Origin of the Cactus Life‐Form, The American Naturalist, 2006, 167(6):777-793, doi: 10.1086/504605
Field measurements of seven leafy cacti were compared with phylogeny and site climate. The account helps explain how water conservation may have preceded strongly succulent stems. Pereskia in this paper also includes species now assigned to Leuenbergeria.
The C3-CAM shift is crucial to the maintenance of the photosynthetic apparatus integrity in Pereskia aculeata under prolonged and severe drought
de Barros J. P. A., Lima Neto M. C., da Silva Brito N. D., Herminio P. J., Santos H. R. B., Simões A. D. N., Nunes V. G., de Lima A. L. A., de Souza E. S., Ferreira-Silva S. L., The C3-CAM shift is crucial to the maintenance of the photosynthetic apparatus integrity in Pereskia aculeata under prolonged and severe drought, Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 2024, 46(12):116, doi: 10.1007/s11738-024-03738-5
Greenhouse and growth-chamber experiments describe reversible Pereskia aculeata responses to water deficit. They compare night-time acid accumulation with CO₂ balance and CAM-cycling.
Physiological and biochemical changes associated with the induction of facultative CAM in Pereskia aculeata under drought stress and recovery
Cenciareli L. C., Justi M. S., Ferreira-Silva S. L., de Almeida L. F. R., Sershen, Lima Neto M. C., Physiological and biochemical changes associated with the induction of facultative CAM in Pereskia aculeata under drought stress and recovery, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 2025, 222:109681, doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109681
The Pereskia aculeata experiment combines prolonged water deficit with measurements of acidity, malate, enzyme activity and gas exchange. It covers metabolic changes during drought and after rehydration.
Contrasting Pollination Strategies and Breeding Systems in Two Native Useful Cacti from Southern Brazil
Becker R., Báez O. P., Singer R. F., Singer R. B., Contrasting Pollination Strategies and Breeding Systems in Two Native Useful Cacti from Southern Brazil, Plants, 2023, 12(6):1298, doi: 10.3390/plants12061298
Pollination experiments compare Pereskia aculeata and Cereus hildmannianus in southern Brazil. The authors analyse self-fertility, self-pollination and animal visits.
Pereskia sacharosa Griseb. (Cactaceae) Prevents Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuroinflammation in Rodents via Down-Regulating TLR4/CD14 Pathway and GABAA γ2 Activity
Prado-Fernández M. F., Magdaleno-Madrigal V. M., Cabañas-García E., Mucio-Ramírez S., Almazán-Alvarado S., Pérez-Molphe-Balch E., Gómez-Aguirre Y. A., Sánchez-Jaramillo E., Pereskia sacharosa Griseb. (Cactaceae) Prevents Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuroinflammation in Rodents via Down-Regulating TLR4/CD14 Pathway and GABAA γ2 Activity, Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2024, 46(7):6885-6902, doi: 10.3390/cimb46070411
The study of Pereskia sacharosa extract and flavonoid fraction includes mice and rats in an LPS-induced inflammation model. It presents molecular results, behaviour and EEG recordings under preclinical conditions.
How cutting types and shading levels influence the vegetative propagation of Pereskia aculeata?
Santos C. C., Bernardes R. D. S., Silverio J. M., Lima N. M., Goelzer A., Dias A. D. S., Scalon S. D. P. Q., Vieira M. D. C., How cutting types and shading levels influence the vegetative propagation of Pereskia aculeata?, Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2023, 83:e270735, doi: 10.1590/1519-6984.270735
The experiment compares the rooting of cuttings at three stages of lignification under two levels of shade. Results were assessed after 90 days in warm conditions with controlled substrate moisture.
Temperature requirements for seed germination of Pereskia aculeata and Pereskia grandifolia
Souza L. F., Gasparetto B. F., Lopes R. R., Barros I. B. I., Temperature requirements for seed germination of Pereskia aculeata and Pereskia grandifolia, Journal of Thermal Biology, 2016, 57:6-10, doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2016.01.009
The experiment compares Pereskia aculeata and P. grandifolia germination at five constant temperatures. It compares germination percentages and rates for material of specific provenance.
Pereskia (Cactaceae)
[Leuenberger B. E., Pereskia (Cactaceae), Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden, The New York Botanical Garden, New York, 1986, tom 41, s. 1–141]
The monograph on leafy cacti presents descriptions of their structure, identification keys, habitat data and observations of living specimens. Its historical treatment includes taxa later transferred between Pereskia and Leuenbergeria, including plants described as Pereskia humboldtii and P. grandifolia var. violacea.
Bioactivity and nutritional profiling of underexplored unconventional food plants with potential for applications as functional foods
da Silva Miranda C. T. C., de Souza Lima A., Soares S. D., Ruiz A. L. T. G., Silva J. V. M., Mariutti L. R. B., Aguiar J. P. L., das Chagas do Amaral Souza F., Borsoi F. T., Neri-Numa I. A., Pastore G. M., Bioactivity and nutritional profiling of underexplored unconventional food plants with potential for applications as functional foods, European Food Research and Technology, 2026, 252(10):393, doi: 10.1007/s00217-026-05307-1
The authors compare composition and selected activities of six unconventional food plants. The comparison includes Leuenbergeria bleo and results of individual biological tests for the species studied.
Why do tropical plants often have smaller genomes? Genome size evolution in Cactaceae is shaped by geographically structured polyploidy
Rodriguez P. E., Sader M. A., Costa L., Almeida E., Félix L. P., Carvalho-Sobrinho J., Loureiro J., Leitch I. J., Souza G., Why do tropical plants often have smaller genomes? Genome size evolution in Cactaceae is shaped by geographically structured polyploidy, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2026, 211(3):301-313, doi: 10.1093/botlinnean/boaf064
The study compares genome size, polyploidy and cactus distribution. New measurements include cultivated Leuenbergeria bleo, accounting for endoreduplication in tissue selection.
Chemical Diversity in Leuenbergeria bleo: From Small-Molecule Phytochemicals to Bioactive Microproteins
Niu J., Bai Y., Du C., Kam A., Loo S., Chemical Diversity in Leuenbergeria bleo: From Small-Molecule Phytochemicals to Bioactive Microproteins, Processes, 2026, 14(4):692, doi: 10.3390/pr14040692
The review organises small molecules and bioactive microproteins of Leuenbergeria bleo. It discusses individual bleogens, activity-testing methods and traditional plant uses.
Short-term Antihyperglycemic and Weight Modulation Effects of Leuenbergeria bleo (Kunth) Lodé: Phytochemical Screening and in vivo Assessment in an Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rat Model
Afzal S., Venkata Sathya Sai Appalaraju V., Attiq A., Malik I., Albokhadaim I., M Alhojaily S., Seng Wu Y., A Almofty Y., Omer Alameen A., Aljabl G., Short-term Antihyperglycemic and Weight Modulation Effects of Leuenbergeria bleo (Kunth) Lodé: Phytochemical Screening and in vivo Assessment in an Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rat Model, Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2025, 24(1):e164873, doi: 10.5812/ijpr-164873
The short experiment assesses Leuenbergeria bleo leaf extracts in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes. The publication presents preclinical results in small animal groups.
Flora at risk in the plant communities of the Ciénaga de La Palmita, Zulia State, Venezuela
Vera A., Flora at risk in the plant communities of the Ciénaga de La Palmita, Zulia State, Venezuela, Revista de la Facultad de Agronomía Universidad del Zulia, 2025, 42(4):e254255, doi: 10.47280/revfacagron(luz).v42.n4.xii
The floristic study describes Ciénaga de La Palmita communities in Zulia, Venezuela. It documents Leuenbergeria guamacho (Pereskia guamacho in the older treatment) and the local habitat conservation context.
Allozyme Diversity and Genetic Structure of the Leafy Cactus (Pereskia guamacho [Cactaceae])
Nassar J. M., Hamrick J. L., Fleming T. H., Allozyme Diversity and Genetic Structure of the Leafy Cactus (Pereskia guamacho [Cactaceae]), Journal of Heredity, 2002, 93(3):193-200, doi: 10.1093/jhered/93.3.193
The allozyme analysis compares seventeen Leuenbergeria guamacho populations (Pereskia guamacho in the paper) in Venezuela. It presents genetic variation within and between populations and inferences about gene exchange.
A Critical Appraisal of the Most Recent Investigations on Ora-Pro-Nobis (Pereskia sp.): Economical, Botanical, Phytochemical, Nutritional, and Ethnopharmacological Aspects
Teixeira V. M. C., Oliveira A. D., Backes E., Souza C. G. M. D., Castoldi R., Sá-Nakanishi A. B. D., Bracht L., Comar J. F., Corrêa R. C. G., Leimann F. V., Bracht A., Peralta R. M., A Critical Appraisal of the Most Recent Investigations on Ora-Pro-Nobis (Pereskia sp.): Economical, Botanical, Phytochemical, Nutritional, and Ethnopharmacological Aspects, Plants, 2023, 12(22):3874, doi: 10.3390/plants12223874
The review focuses mainly on Pereskia aculeata and P. grandifolia, known as ora-pro-nobis. It brings together their food uses, composition, mucilage and factors that limit their nutritional value.
Morfo-anatomia do fruto (hipanto, pericarpo e semente) em desenvolvimento de Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae)
Rosa S. M. D., Souza L. A. D., Morfo-anatomia do fruto (hipanto, pericarpo e semente) em desenvolvimento de Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae), Acta Scientiarum. Biological Sciences, 2003, 25(2):415-428, doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v25i2.2046
The authors describe successive stages of Pereskia aculeata fruit and seed development. The analysis covers contributions of the hypanthium, pericarp and storage tissues.
Structure–Function Relationships in Highly Modified Shoots of Cactaceae
Mauseth J. D., Structure–Function Relationships in Highly Modified Shoots of Cactaceae, Annals of Botany, 2006, 98(5):901-926, doi: 10.1093/aob/mcl133
The review describes cactus stem structure, areoles, and photosynthetic and storage tissues. It explains connections between anatomy, photosynthesis and water storage.