The tallest homegrown cactus a Cereus peruvianus reached a remarkable height of 24 metres on 23 December 2009 at the Shri Dharmathala Manjunatheshwar College of Dental Sciences in Dharwad Karnataka India Planted on 15 August 2002 the cactus has continued its upward growth with its ribbed green stem edged with sharp spines producing striking funnel shaped flowers that bloom at night in pure white and fade to copper by morning marking a seasonal rhythm most prominent in September.
Native to South America this cactus known variously as Hedge Cactus Peruvian Apple and Column Cactus bears edible red fruits called Peruvian Apple or Pitaya marketed in Latin America as Koubo Thriving in well drained soil abundant sunlight and low humidity it remains a rarity in India where it is usually found in hedges Before this achievement Dharwad itself held the earlier record with a 72 foot cactus documented in 2004 reaffirming the region’s unique link with these towering botanical marvels.
