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

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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.



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Ecology

Wildlife:

Consolea corallicola has extremely low genetic diversity as the only two natural populations are clones (both functionally male).  Currently propagated by planting pads. 

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.



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.

Citations:

Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants (http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/). Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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