Pereskia grandifolia 
(Bastard Rose, Ora Pro Nobis, Pray-For-Us, Rose Cactus, Wax Rose, Cactus grandifolius, Pereskia grandiflora, Pereskia tampicana, Rhodocactus grandifolius, Rhodocactus

Origin:  Native of Brazil
Family:  Cactaceae
Light:  Sun-part shade
Height:  Can reach up to 18'
Spacing:  3-10'
Bloom:  Pink and white with yellow stamens, small, 5-petaled, rose-like, mid-Spring
Foliage:  Evergreen, succulent, smooth, glossy, spines at leaf nodes
Fruit:  Apple-shaped
Soil:  Well-drained, rich, sandy, drought tolerant
Water:  Low in Winter, increase in Summer
Uses:  Ornamental, xeriscaping, rock garden, medicinal, vegetable
Propagation:  Seeds, woody stem cuttings
Caution:  Plant is spiny - wear gloves when handling

Comments:  Pereskia grandifolia or Bastard Rose or Ora Pro Nobis or Pray-For-Us or Rose Cactus or Wax Rose or Cactus grandifolius or Pereskia grandiflora or Pereskia tampicana or Rhodocactus grandifolius or Rhodocactus tampicanus is an evergreen tropical  shrub with an erect growth habit.  It is a native of Brazil.  In mid-Spring, Pereskia grandifolia produces small pink and white, rose-like flowers with yellow stamens, followed later by apple-shaped fruits which turn red when ripe.  Ora Pro Nobis has succulent evergreen foliage.  Several sharp thorns appear at each leaf axil.  Pray-For-Us is easily propagated from seeds or woody stem cuttings.  It thrives best in well-drained, rich, sandy soil in a sunny to part shade environment.  Cactus grandifolius is hardy to 26 degrees Fahrenheit but leaves will drop when temperature falls lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit.  Wax Rose can grow as tall in length as its width so provide it with sufficient room.  The trunk of Bastard Rose can reach about 8" in diameter.  The succulent leaves of Pereskia grandiflora can be eaten as a vegetable, raw or cooked.  Some of my Chinese friends call this a cancer plant and they use the leaves as a herb for treating cancer.  Rose Cactus is ideal for xeriscaping.  Plant it away from children or foot traffic.  Pereskia tampicana is an unusual specimen in the rock garden.  It will arouse your curiosity.  In its native habitat, Rhodocactus grandifolius is found growing in dry forests.

Interestingly, the genus Pereskia is named after a 16th century French botanist, Nicolas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc. 

USDA Zones:  9b-11

JennysGarden.com...Plant image and gardening descriptions of Pereskia grandifolia  (Bastard Rose, Ora Pro Nobis, Pray-For-Us, Rose Cactus, Wax Rose, Cactus grandifolius, Pereskia grandiflora, Pereskia tampicana, Rhodocactus grandifolius, Rhodocactus tampicanus) growing in Jenny's Garden

Image of Pereskia grandifolia or Bastard Rose or Ora Pro Nobis or Pray-For-Us or Rose Cactus or Wax Rose or Cactus grandifolius or Pereskia grandiflora or Pereskia tampicana or Rhodocactus grandifolius or Rhodocactus tampicanus


Plant inquiries:  jen@JennysGarden.com