As the names Rose Cactus or Leaf Cactus suggests, Pereskia bleo (Kunth) DC. 1828 is a member of the Cactus family (Cactaceae).
The rose cactus has first been described by the German botanist Karl Sigismund Kunth 1823 as Cactus bleo, in the year 1828 the Swiss botanist Augustin-Pyrame de Candolle classified the attractive tropical cactus plant in the genus Pereskia. The rose cactus with its orange-red flowers, which are reminescent of rose flowers, is native to tropical America.
The plant reaches heights from 2 - 8 meters and likes full sun and dry conditions. Pereskia bleo blooms all year round.

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Image: Rose Cactus (Pereskia bleo)

The Rose Cactus (Pereskia bleo) produces also attractive yellow fruits, which are edible, but quite sour. Pounded leaves of Pereskia bleo are used for clarification of drinking water.