A representative species of the Konohasaboten family. At a glance, Pereskia aculeata might look just like an ordinary tree, yet it actually belongs to the cactus family. Many believe this is what ancient cacti looked like—an ancestor of the cactus as we know it. Its slim branches are studded with sharp spines and equipped with “areoles,” the signature feature of cacti. It produces fresh, white petals that bloom into flowers, and later gives way to round, orange fruits—definite cactus traits. But here’s where this plant stands out: its fruit has leaves, making it truly one-of-a-kind. Smaller Pereskia aculeata even form a tuberous root system, showing just how far this plant has gone down its own evolutionary path.

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  1,900JPY