Xerophyte

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.

Seeds

Dull, pitted.

Description

Stenocereus stellatusSN|8762]]SN|7945]] 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 treleaseiSN|7945]]SN|8762]].

Phenology

Flowers are produced between June and September, and fruits in October.

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.

Ribs

8 to 12, up to 2 cm high low, obtuse, distinctly rounded, notched the areoles seated in the notches.

Stem

Cylindrical, erect, 7-10 cm in diameter pale to dark bluish green.

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.

Fruits

Red, spiny, globular, about 3 cm in diameter with spines falling early.

Areoles

1 to 2 cm apart whitish.