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Pereskia bleo (Kunth) DC.

Synonym	:	Cactus bleo Kunth
Family	:	Cactaceae
Local name	:	English-Wax Rose, Rose Cactus
Distribution	:	Panama, Colombia
Distribution in Kerala	:	Grown as an ornamental plant in Kerala
Habitat	:	Shady, moist forests
Uses	:	The leaves are used in Malaysian folk medicine to treat cancer, rheumatism and ulcers.
Key botanical characters:  Perennial shrub up to 4m tall. Unlike other members of the cactus family (Family Cactaceae) which lack leaves or have tiny leaves which quickly fall off, this species has large leaves which remain on the plant. Green leaves are elliptic with wavy leaf margin. Leaf surface appears wrinkled with leaf blade bulging between veins. The woody stems are heavily armed with dense clusters of black, needle-like spines. Orange-red, rose-like flowers are composed of about 10 obovate to oval petals. Bisexual flowers have a compact column of white stamens and styles in the centre. Yellow, funnel-shaped fruits are fleshy with several black, disc-shaped seeds.