National Collection Spotlight: Aboriginal Prickly-apple

Harrisia aboriginum fruiting in habitat. Photo credit: Brian Harding.

Aboriginal Prickly-apple (Harrisia aboriginum) is a critically imperiled species endemic to the western coast of Florida. There are 12 known extant occurrences of this rare species, and it is listed as Endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. Like many plants in South Florida, this species is threatened by invasive species and habitat loss/fragmentation. This rare cactus also faces the major threat of poaching from its wild populations for illegal horticultural collection.

Harrisia aboriginum is secured in the CPC National Collection at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Naples Botanical Garden, and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. At Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, this species has been held in conservation collection as part of the CPC National Collection for over 30 years.

Learn more about conservation actions taken for Aboriginal Prickly-apple on its National Collection Plant Profile, and help support critical conservation work for this species with a Plant Sponsorship.