Cereus repandus (L.) Mill.

Cadushi cactus or 'Queen of the Night' (Cereus repandus) is a succulent up to 10 meters tall from the Cactaceae family native to the Southern Caribbean through Colombia, nicknamed as such because its flowers bloom only at night. Its sweet fruit can be eaten fresh, while its flesh is used to make soap and shampoo. Cadushi cactus is traditionally used to treat intestinal problems and acts as an anti-ulcer agent.

Cadushi cactus is a plant of drier regions in the tropics. This plant will withstand very high temperatures, but is not very frost-hardy, perhaps able to withstand a few degrees of frost. Prefers a position in full sun and well-drained soil. Prefers a pH lower than 6.

• Stem has a woody skeleton to support its tall stature. The stem cross-section is angular, allowing its shape to swell when fully filled with water.
• Leaves reduced to sharp spines, though photosynthesis can still take place on its succulent stem.
• Flowers large, white and fragrant, attracting bats or moths to pollinate it.
• Fruit red with white flesh with a sweet taste, resembling a dragon fruit in shape, oblong, 3-4 cm long.

Propagation can be done generatively through seed or vegetatively through stem cuttings.

Hordenine, tyramine, polysaccharides, arabinogalactan.

Treats intestinal problems, has anti-ulcer properties and can be used for phytotherapy.

• Take a stem of the cadushi cactus plant and wash until clean.
• Peel and take the flesh, then slice thinly.
• Dry without direct sunlight exposure or using an oven until the sliced stem flesh is dry.
• Store the dried cadushi cactus flesh in a clean, covered, airtight container.

Kaktus koboi.