Harrisia aboriginum – endemic Florida cactus (Florida only – no shipping)

Description

Harrisia Aboriginum – the aboriginal prickly apple, or Gulf Coast prickly apple https://cactusislandacres.com/a-forest-of-native-florida-cactus/, is a columnar shrub cactus endemic to Southwest Florida (found naturally only there and nowhere else in the world), occurring coastally from Lee Co. to Sarasota Co.  Nearly driven to extinction from land development, it is found primarily in shell mound berms within coastal hammocks.  H. aboriginum has bright green skin and short, white needles with large white flowers and yellow fruit.  Flower hypanthium is brown with rose-mahogany colored sepals.  Does best in the partial shade of subtropical palm and tree understory, hardy down to 30F but customers have reported 23F and no tip burn when protected by thermal mass of shade canopy.  I’m proud to say that in the nearly four years I’ve grown both endangered species of Florida Harrisia, I now have them firmly in cultivation with lots of fruit, seeds, plants and enthusiastic Florida gardeners who are providing them sanctuary.  ***This species is federally protected, so I can only sell these locally in Florida where I reside to other Florida residents (no shipping – by appointment or personal delivery on large orders only)***.  The seeds from which I’ve grown these plants were bought from a longtime, reputable major cactus seed dealer with a large old collection of mature cacti – not wild-harvested or poached.  It is very uncommon in cultivation.  Harrisia Aboriginum has grown well for me in commercial cactus soil mix with added perlite and composted cow manure.  I have a number of  large plants of flowering maturity for $100-$300, also trays of small seedlings – contact me and I’ll send a photo, details of the specific plant you want.

I also cultivate Harrisia Fragrans, the Indian River prickly apple – not to be confused with H. Aboriginum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw_q68b76aU.