Stenocereus stellatus (Pfeiff.) Riccobono

Origin and Habitat: Morelos, Puebla, and Oaxaca, Central Mexico. Its distribution is clearly restricted to hot and dry regions of the Tehuacán Valley and the portion of the Balsas catchment that includes the northeast of Oaxaca and southeast of Puebla. It is also cultivated in home gardens elsewhere in Mexico and central America.
Altitude: Stenocereus stellatus grows at elevations of 500 to 2100 m asl.
Habitat and Ecology: The species inhabits tropical deciduous forest and xerophyllous scrub (thornscrub forest). Levels of precipitation vary between 300 and 800 mm per year; mean annual temperatures from 17 to 24°C; and soils derived from limestone, sandstone, volcanic rocks, or alluvial deposits.Other commonly associated plant species in the habitat include Coryphantha calipensis, Coryphantha elephantidens, Mammillaria carnea, Ferocactus recurvus, Opuntia pubescens, Schomburgkia superbiens, Bursera morelensis, Agave karwinskii, Agave lechuguilla and Yucca periculosa. Populations are abundant in both native and cultivated regions (species is dispersed by people). There are no threats, in addition this species is tolerant to some degree of habitat change.

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Synonyms:

• Stenocereus stellatus (Pfeiff.) Riccobono

See all synonyms of Stenocereus stellatus

 

Common Names include:
ENGLISH: Organ Pipe Cactus
JAPANESE (日本語): 新緑柱 (Shinryokuchyuu), シンリョクチュウ (Shinryokuchyuu), ステノケレウス (Sutenokereusu)
SPANISH (Español): Pitayo, Xoconostle (Mexico), Jonocostle (fruto), Xoconochtli (Mexico), Pitaya, Pitaya de augusto, Tuna (fruto), Pitayo de octubre

 

Description: Stenocereus stellatus is a shrubby or treelike columnar cactus, branching at base, rarely branching above, 2-4 m high with short trunks. This species can be easily confused with Stenocereus treleasei.
Stems: Cylindrical, erect, 7-10 cm in diameter pale to dark bluish green.
Ribs: 8 to 12, up to 2 cm high low, obtuse, distinctly rounded, notched the areoles seated in the notches.

Areoles: 1 to 2 cm apart whitish.
Central spines: One to three, or sometimes more, slender often much longer than the others, flattened, one pointed downward, the others upward, 2 to 6 cm long dart brown or blackish at first, fading to grey.
Radial spines: The spine clusters are of 7-9 (sometime up to 13) radials about 12 mm long whitish-grey with dark tips, radiating star-like.
Flowers: Nocturnal, tubular to narrowly campanulate, appearing at or near the top of the plant, white or pale rose, with reddish sepals, about 4,5-6 cm cm long and 3-4 cm in diameter, tube scarcely flared, ovary bearing small scales subtending wool and bristly spines. Anthesis began around 8 on the evening and flowers open completely around 11 p.m. One hour later (around midnight), pollen starts being released but stigmatic lobes will be completely open only between 2 and 3 a.m. Flowers close between 7 and 9 on the mornining. Pollen and nectar is particularly abundant at night and attract pollinators like bats, hawkmoths and beetles.
Fruit: Red, spiny, globular, about 3 cm in diameter with spines falling early.
Phenology: Flowers are produced between June and September, and fruits in October.
Seeds: Dull, pitted.

Stenocereus stellatus (llifle.com)