pereskia

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A genus of cacti of the tribe Opuntieæ, characterized by the numerous large spreading petals in many rows, and the stigma with very many clustered or spiral rays. There are 13 species, all natives of the West Indies. They are shrubs or trees, with round branches, large solitary or panicled flowers, and scaly or spiny pear-shaped or egg-shaped berries. The distinct fleshy and veiny leaves bear spines in their axils, and are in some species thick and cylindrical, in others broad and membranaceous, unlike those of other cacti. P. Bleo is the bleo of the United States of Colombia, with handsome rose-colored flowers, and leaves which are eaten as a salad. See Barbados gooseberry, under gooseberry.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. genus of tropical American shrubby trees and woody climbers having slender branches with broad flat leaves and large panicles of flowers