Aspects of the Population and Reproductive Ecology of the Endangered Fragrant Prickly-apple Cactus [Cereus eriophorus var. fragrans (Small) L. Benson]

Aspects of the population and reproductive ecology of the endangered fragrant prickly-apple cactus [Cereus eriophorus var. fragrans (Small) L. Benson] in Florida were studied in order to provide a basis for prudent management. Individual plants in two populations were permanently marked, mapped, and monitored monthly for one year. They had a clumped distribution, largely under cabbage palm trees. Growth was slowest in the dry winter months and fastest in the wet summer season. Flowering peaked in April and May with a minor peak in October. Sixty-three percent of the mature plants flowered and fifty percent of the flowers produced fruit. There was a positive relationship between plant size and fruit production. Mortality was approximately five percent, mostly in the summer months, and there was no successful recruitment. Individuals growing in the sun in ecotones between vegetation and open sandy areas demonstrated significantly higher flower production and fruit set than those growing in shade.