Joconostle cactus, Baja organ pipe cactus
Stenocereus stellatus

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It is shrubby or treelike. It branches near the base. It grows 2-4 m high. It has a short trunk. The stems are dark bluish-green. They are 7-10 cm wide. There are 8-12 ribs and they are rounded and lumpy. They are 2 cm high. There are usually 3 central spines with one pointing down and 2 pointing up. They are 2-6 cm long. There are 7-9 spines around these. They are short and grey with dark tips. The flowers open at night. They are at the ends of the branches. They are a narrow bell shape. They are pale red and 4.5-6 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Central America, Indonesia, Mexico (country/location of origin), North America, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh or dried. They are used for jam. It is also served hot with local goat cheese. The juice of the fruit is used to prepare an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. The seeds, stems and flower are occasionally eaten. The flower buds are parboiled then fried with egg or prepared with onions and vinegar.

It is a cultivated food plant. Fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, stems, flowers, juice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds and cuttings. It can be cultivated as a hedge.

Plants fruit after 5-10 years. Yields of fruit of 3.3 tons per hectare are recorded.

Its other names

Local names

Kaktus pipa organ baja, Ndichicaya, Pitaya, Xoconochtli, Xoconostle

Synonyms

Cereus stellatus Pfeiffer; Lemaireocereus stellatus (Pfeiffer) Britton & Rose; Rathbunia stellata (Pfeiffer) P.V. Heath;