Common Name: Pitahaya Dulce

General Information

Stenocereus thurberi is a much-branched, shrubby or tree-like, spiny cactus growing 6 - 12 metres or more tall[]. The erect stems can be 9 - 15cm in diameter, whilst the more tree-like forms have a short trunk up to 50cm tall[, ]. The basal branching habit of the northern populations is apparently an adaptation to drought. Further south in Mexico the plants tend to branch higher off the ground, and can become arborescent, with one or more trunks[].,
The edible fruits are an important local wild food and are gathered in quantity for local consumption and are also sold in local markets[, , ]. The plant is also used medicinally, as a source of wood and fuel, and is used for making torches. It is frequently grown, especially in Mexico, as a living fence along roadsides and around gardens[, ].
Stenocereus thurberi has a wide range and is abundant. Some of the densest populations have been lost, but most of the range in not under threat. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Southern N. America - southern Arizona to northern Mexico (Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Baja California)

Habitat

Upland Sonoran desert scrub and tropical deciduous forest; at elevations from 20 - 1,470 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Bats
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Stenocereus thurberi is a plant of drier areas in the tropics and subtropics. Plants can tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -4°c so long as the weather is dry[].
Requires a sunny position and a well-drained soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7.5[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
The flowers open of a night time, remaining open for part of the next day[, ].

Edible Uses

The fruits are eaten raw or made into a jam[, , ]. An agreeable, sweet-flavoured pulp containing lots of seeds which are eaten with the fruit[, ]. The rind is rather thick but soft and easily separated from the pulp[]. The fruits colour the urine like blood[]. The red fruits are 3 - 7cm in diameter[]. Immature fruits have many spines on them, but these are lost as the fruit ripens[, ].

Medicinal

Stem sections, from which the spines have been removed, are heated in hot coals and used as a poultice to relieve rheumatism and general aches and pains[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Frequently planted in Mexico as a living, stock-proof fence along roadsides and around gardens[].

Other Uses

The cortex of the stem has been used as a material for caulking boats[].

Underneath the bark there is a narrow layer of a green and very juicy pulp, and within that is a woody tube full of whitish pith which, when dry, burns well and is used for torches for giving light[].
The dried stems are often used for fuel[].

The woody stem ribs have served for traditional house construction and fences, utensils, and many other utilitarian purposes[, ].

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings

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