A cactus plant grown in the SDM College of Dental Sciences premises near Sattur in Dharwad, which has found a place in Guinness Book of World Records, is on the way to break its own record.
Botanically known as Cereus peruvianus, the plant was 78.8-feet tall in June 2010, when it entered the Guinness Book of World Records. Planted on August 15, 2002, it plant has grown further in the past four years and is now 105.8-feet tall. The plant, like all other members of the Cactaceae family, has no leaves.
The college authorities have erected a tower to provide support to the plant. Parimala, a professor at the Botany department in JSS College, said cactus had its origin in South America. It is often planted on hedges in India and is cultivated rarely.
It is also called Hedge Cactus, Peruvian Apple, Peruvian Torch, Peruvian tree cactus, Apple Cactus and Column Cactus.
The stem of the plant usually has a tuft of spines present on the ridges. The flowering season is from March to October, with the maximum in September.
Parimala added good drainage, proper sunlight and low humidity are ideal conditions for its cultivation.
Incidentally, the previous world record was in the name of a cactus at Narayanpur in Dharwad. The cactus grown at a house in Narayanpur was 72-feet tall when it made an entry into the Guinness Book in 2004. Now that plant has been reduced to 56 feet as it has broken.
