Xiquexique
Pilosocereus gounellei

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A branched cactus. It is shrubby or almost treelike. It grows 0.5-4 m high. It has several branches from the main stem. The stems are erect but can lie over with age. The stems are 3.7-9 cm across. New stems arise just below the tip and are olive green. There are 8-15 ribs. There are 1-10 central spines and 10-20 spines around it. The flowers have hairs around them. The flowers are funnel shaped. They are 4-9 cm long by 2.5-6 cm wide. The fruit are round. They are 4.5-6 cm across.

Chemical composition (pith): Moisture = 89.0%. Protein = 0.73%. Starch = 1.37%. Minerals = 1.75%. Fibre (crude, etc. = 7.15%. Ash (total): CaO = 8.55% (0.15% in pith). Fe203= 0.15% (0.003% in pith).

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil (country/location of origin), South America

How it is used for food

The spines and woody sheath of the stem are removed then the inner pith is pulverised and held over the fire for 15 minutes. The woody rind is removed. The pith is then pulverised to produce flour.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Pith, stem, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alastrado, Chique-chique, Sheeke-sheeke

Synonyms

Pilocereus gounellei F.A.C. Weber; Cephalocereus gounellei (F.A.C. Weber) Britton & Rose; Cereus gounellei (F.A.C.Weber) Lutzelburg; Pseudopilocereus gounellei (F.A.C. Weber) Buxbaum; Pilocereus setosus Guerke; Cephalocereus zehntneri Britton & Rose; Cereus zehnteri (Britton & Rose) Lutzelburg; Pilocereus zehnteri (Britton & Rose) F. Ritter; Pilocereus gounellei subsp. zehnteri (Britton & Rose) Zappi; Pseudopilocereus zehnteri (Britton & Rose) P.V. Heath; Pseudopilocereus superfloccosus Buining & Brederoo; Pilocereus superfloccosus (Buining & Brederoo) F. Ritter; Pilocereus braunii Esteves;