Xerophyte

Central Spines

1-3, to 15 mm long but the longer ones 4 cm long.

Description

Stenocereus griseusSN|7855]]SN|7855]] is a treelike cactus (3-)6-9(-10) meters high, sometimes branching at the base, sometimes with a definite trunk. This species shows latitudinal variation in growth form, from a multi-stemmed shrub sending up from the base 5 to 20 branches 3 to 6 meters high in dry northern habitats to a ten metre columnar arborescent cactus in Caribbean deciduous forest. The flowers, which appear in spring, are followed by the large delicious fruit much prized by the native.

Flowers

Flower-bud obtuse or rounded at apex, covered with overlapping scales, these obtuse and brown; flowers broad funnelform, with reflexed perianth parts, pinkish, 7-10 cm long; inner perianth-segments white; style exserted before the flower opens.

Spines

Acicular, grey.

Ribs

6 to 10, bulging below each areole.

Stem

Trunk up to 35 cm in diameter, smooth when old; branches erect, 9-12 cm in diameter green and more or less glaucous.

Radial Spines

6-11,6-10 mm long.

Fruits

The fruits are almost spherical to oblong, and are catalogued as “dehiscent fleshy fruits”, they are about 5 cm in diameter, spiny, perianth parts not persistent, edible, the pulp blood-red or greenish-white. S. griseus produces red or white fruits nearly on 1