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Stenocereus griseus
Stenocereus griseus, also known as the Mexican organ pipe, dagger cactus, pitaya, and pitayo de mayo, is a species of cactus.[3] DescriptionStenocereus griseus is a tree-shaped cactus that grows to 6-9 meters tall with a clear trunk and upright green stems, about 9-12 centimeters in diameter, with six to ten ribs below the areoles.[2] It bears one to three central spines up to 1.5 centimeters long, the longest of which reaches 4 centimeters, and six to eleven marginal spines measuring 6-10 millimeters long. This species produces white, funnel-shaped flowers that bloom at night and last until midday, with bent-back flower bracts. The flowers are about 10 centimeters long. Its spherical to elongated fruits are white, yellowish green, to red or dark purple, up to 5 centimeters in diameter, and covered with thorns that shed when ripe. The flesh is red.[4]
DistributionThis species is found in Mexico in Oaxaca and Veracruz,[2] coastal Venezuela, Guajira Peninsula of Colombia and the ABC islands of the Dutch Caribbean.[5] It is found in scrub-lands.[1] Observations of this species have also been reported in the dry scrub-lands at the base of the Eastern Cordillera of the Colombian Andes. However it has not been collected in this region.[6] In the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, this cactus blooms and fruits profusely during the dry season. It is a critical resource for bats, birds and other animals.[1]
Human usesIts fruit is edible to humans and is considered good tasting. It is planted as an ornamental and as a living fence in warm regions.[1][7] When used as a fence, it can be impervious to animals due to its spiny nature.[7] TaxonomyFirst described as Cereus griseus in 1812 by Adrian Hardy Haworth, the species was later placed in the genus Stenocereus by Franz Buxbaum in 1961.[8] The specific epithet "griseus" derives from Latin, meaning 'gray,' in reference to the thorns of the species. The species is found in CITES Appendix II as a species of Least Concern. Its population is considered stable.[1] References
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