Brooks Dildo

Title

Brooks Dildo

Authors

Ethan H. Freid

Scientific Name

Harrisia brookii Britton

Description

Common Names

Brooks Dildo, Apple Cactus

Cactaceae

Harrisia brookii grows erect forming a many-branched structure. The main stems are up to 5 m in height/length. Stem typically 10 ridged with deep fissures between ridges. The areoles occur along the stem approximately 2 cm apart with 6 to 12 spines, some reaching 3 cm in length.

The flowers are solitary in arrangement occurring near the ends of stems/branches. The flowers open at night and are up to 25 cm in length. The perianth has numerous sepals and petals. There are numerous stamens. The ovary is inferior and has numerous seeds. The fruit is a berry bearing small tubercles and areoles with white hairs. At maturity the fruit is yellow/white and is the size of a softball.

Harrisia brookii grows in open rocky areas of Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation –Shrublands (Scrubland coppice). It has been recorded to occur in disturbed areas.

Harrisia brookii is endemic to the Bahamian Archipelago and occurs only on Eleuthera and Long Island.

Harrisia brookii has no known medicinal uses. The fruits of other species in the genus are known to be edible.

Harrisia brookii is protected by CITES as an appendix II species. It is illegal to collect and transport for commercial or personal usage.