Stenocereus griseus
(Haw.) Buxb.
Cactaceae
Cereus clavatus Otto & A. Dietr.
Cereus deficiens Otto & A. Dietr.
Cereus eburneus Salm-Dyck
Cereus griseus Haw.
Lemaireocereus deficiens (Otto & A. Dietr.) Britton & Rose
Lemaireocereus griseus (Haw.) Britton & Rose
Ritterocereus deficiens (Otto & A. Dietr.) Backeb.
Ritterocereus griseus (Haw.) Backeb.
Stenocereus deficiens (Otto & A. Dietr.) Buxb.
Common Name: Pitaya
General Information
Pitaya is a much-branched, tree or shrub-like, spiny cactus with a short trunk, growing 6 - 9 metres tall[
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 edible fruit is much appreciated, it is gathered from the wild and is also cultivated, especially in tropical and subtropical America[
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 fruit is sold in local markets[
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 is commonly grown as a hedge in tropical and subtropical America (especially Mexico)[
].
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.
Range
Northern S. America - Colombia, Venezuela to Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean.
Habitat
Not known
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 7.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant of drier areas in the tropics and subtropics. Plants can only tolerate the lightest of frosts.
Requires a sunny position and a well-drained soil[
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.
]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7.5[
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.
]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
].
The plant is subspontaneous and spontaneous after abandoned cultivation[
].
Edible Uses
The fruits are edible and have a good taste[
]. A delicious flavour[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. The fruits are around 5cm in diameter, spiny when immature[
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.
]. Immature fruits have spines on them, but these are lost as the fruit ripens[
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.
].
Medicinal
None known
Agroforestry Uses:
Commonly grown as a hedge plant in tropical and subtropical America (especially Mexico), its spiny nature acting as an animal-proof barrier[
,
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Other Uses
The wood is rich in potassium and is, therefore, used as a fertilizer[
].
Propagation
Seed -
Cuttings
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
