Pitaya, Grey stenocereus, Candle cactus
Stenocereus griseus

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It is a treelike plant. It has a clear trunk and branches above. It can be 6-9 m high. The stems are green and erect. They are 9-12 cm across. There are 6-10 ribs. They bulge below each spine bud. There are 1-3 central spines and 6-11 around them. The flowers open at night. They are funnel shaped and white. They are 10 cm long. The fruit are oblong. The fruit are 5 cm across.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in coastal regions in Venezuela.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Aruba, Caribbean, Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Curacao, Guatemala, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, North America, South America, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela

How it is used for food

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cardon, Cardushi, Dato, Datu, Iguaraya, Penca, Pitayo de mayo, Yaguarey

Synonyms

Cereus deficiens Otto & A Dietrich; Cereus eburneus Salm-Dyck; Cereus griseus Haworth; Lemaireocereus deficiens (Otto & A. Dietrich) Backeberg; Lemaireocereus griseus (Haworth) Britton & Rose; Rittocereus griseus (Haworth) Backeberg; Rathbunia grisea (Haworth) P.V. Heath; Ritterocereus deficiens (Otto & A. Dietrich) Backeberg; Rathbunia deficiens (Otto & A. Dietrich) P.V. Heath; Stenocereus deficiens (Otto & A. Dietrich) Buxbaum;