FNPS Plant Database

Consolea corallicola

Semaphore pricklypear, semaphore cactus
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Roger Hammer, Dade Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Semaphore pricklypear, semaphore cactus

Synonym(s):

Opuntia corallicola

Genus species:

Consolea corallicola

Family:

Cactaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

Tree

Size:

4–10 ft

Life Span:

long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

red

Fruit Color:

red

Phenology:

Evergreen

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Showy Fruits, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Thorns, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant.

Considerations:

Distinctly thorny. Will need protection from invasive cactus moth.

Availability:

FNPS Plant Sales, Specialty Provider

Propagation:

Plant segments (pads) of existing plant.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

□□□□□□□□□□□□■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□

Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Short very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding

Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

10A,10B,11

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

Don't know your zone? Click here to search by zip code.

Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
Click a county The county name will appear here.
No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

One of several cactus species that is attacked by the cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum , which arrived in Florida in 1989, and this invasive species has become a serious threat to the diversity and abundance of Consolea corallicola and Opuntia cacti in North America.

Native Habitats:

Tropical rockland hammock, coastal rock barren, freshwater tidal swamp and inland margins of mangrove swamp. Photographs are of specimens planted at Fairchild Botanical Gardens

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

This is an ENDANGERED plant (listed both Florida and US). Please acquire this endemic plant only from a reputable source. Consolea corallicola has extremely low genetic diversity as the only two natural populations are clones (both functionally male). Currently propagated by planting pads.One of several cactus species that is attacked by the cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum, which arrived in Florida in 1989, and this invasive species has become a serious threat to the diversity and abundance of Consolea corallicola and Opuntia cacti in North America.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Wunderlin, R. P, B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.

Request an Update