Pilosocereus alensis
(F.A.C.Weber ex Rol.-Goss.) Byles & G.D.Rowley
Cactaceae
Cephalocereus alensis (F.A.C.Weber) Britton & Rose
Cephalocereus guerreronis (Backeb.) Buxb.
Cereus alensis (Weber) Vaupel
Pilocereus alensis F.A.C.Weber ex Rol.-Goss.
Pilocereus guerreronis Backeb.
Pilosocereus guerreronis (Backeb.) Byles & G.D.Rowley
Common Name: Pitahaya Barbón
General Information
Pilosocereus alensis is a spiny, succulent shrubby or tree-like cactus wth columnar stems. It branches from near the base, usually growing from 2 - 6 metres tall with erect stems up to 12cm in diameter[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
].
The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for local use as a food[
1981- Title
- Rio Mayo Plants - A study of the flora and vegetation of the valley of the Rio Mayo, Sonora
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gentry H.S.
- Publisher
- Carnegie Institution of Washington; Washington DC
- Year
- 1942
- ISBN
-
- Description
- One of my favourite authors on native plants, often including their uses. This is an excellent example with lots of information, even though the book is 80 years old.
]. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in semi-arid regions[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
].
Pilosocereus alensis is a widespread and abundant species with stable populations despite the increasing number of threats.The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
529- Title
- The Cactaceae
- Publication
-
- Author
- Britton N.L. & Rose J.N.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- The Carnegie Institution of Washington; Washington.
- Year
- 1920
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An immense work in 4 volumes. Many of the botanical names are out of date, of course, but the book contains a wealth of information about the plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
Range
Southwest N. America - western Mexico Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Sonora, ?Chihuahua and ?Durango
Habitat
Heavily wooded rocky slopes[
1981- Title
- Rio Mayo Plants - A study of the flora and vegetation of the valley of the Rio Mayo, Sonora
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gentry H.S.
- Publisher
- Carnegie Institution of Washington; Washington DC
- Year
- 1942
- ISBN
-
- Description
- One of my favourite authors on native plants, often including their uses. This is an excellent example with lots of information, even though the book is 80 years old.
] Tropical deciduous forests; at elevations from 500 - 800 metres[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 4.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Pilosocereus alensis is native to tropical and subtropical, semi-arid regions of western Mexico, where it can be found at elevations up to 800 metres. It seldom experiences frost in its native habitat and shows damage to stem tips even after a short period with a light frost[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
].
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil. Grows best in an acid soil with a pH below 6.0[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
The plant usually only crops rather lightly[
1981- Title
- Rio Mayo Plants - A study of the flora and vegetation of the valley of the Rio Mayo, Sonora
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gentry H.S.
- Publisher
- Carnegie Institution of Washington; Washington DC
- Year
- 1942
- ISBN
-
- Description
- One of my favourite authors on native plants, often including their uses. This is an excellent example with lots of information, even though the book is 80 years old.
].
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw[
1981- Title
- Rio Mayo Plants - A study of the flora and vegetation of the valley of the Rio Mayo, Sonora
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gentry H.S.
- Publisher
- Carnegie Institution of Washington; Washington DC
- Year
- 1942
- ISBN
-
- Description
- One of my favourite authors on native plants, often including their uses. This is an excellent example with lots of information, even though the book is 80 years old.
,
1990- Title
- Cacti Biology and Uses
- Publication
-
- Author
- Nobel, Park S. (Editor)
- Publisher
- University of California Press; Berkeley, California
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 0-520-23157-0
- Description
- A lot of information about the uses and cultivation of Cacti native to central Mexico
]. Very edible[
1981- Title
- Rio Mayo Plants - A study of the flora and vegetation of the valley of the Rio Mayo, Sonora
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gentry H.S.
- Publisher
- Carnegie Institution of Washington; Washington DC
- Year
- 1942
- ISBN
-
- Description
- One of my favourite authors on native plants, often including their uses. This is an excellent example with lots of information, even though the book is 80 years old.
]. Somewhat fig-like in appearance, the fruit splits open when ripe to reveal a red pulp[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. The ovoid to depressed-globose fruit
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
