Family: Cactaceae Scientific name: Pereskia aculeata Description: Plant Form Climbing vine-like shrub. Size Reaching up to 12 high. Stem Fleshy, hairless, with few small spines ageing to woody with clusters of straight 1-5 cm long spines. Leaves Alternately arranged, fleshy, oval or egg-shaped, pale green, with smooth edges and pointed tips, clustered towards top of branches, Flowers White to yellowish 25-40 mm diameter in clusters at branch tips or forks. Often with small spines and leaves. Fruit and Seeds Rounded, fleshy, 15-45 mm diameter, green to orange with maturity. Containing several black seeds. Habitat Woodlands, riparian areas. Distinguishing Features Can look like Rose cactus (Pereskia grandiflora) but has more of a climbing habit and flowers are white to yellow rather than bright pink. Impacts Smothers and kills native vegetation, forms impenetrable thickets, spines can cause injury.