''Stenocereus pruinosus'' is a species of cactus. It is endemic to Mexico and occurs in the states of Veracruz,

Puebla Puebla ( en, colony, settlement), officially Free and Sovereign State of Puebla ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Puebla), is one of the 32 states which comprise the Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 217 municipalities and its cap ...

, and Oaxaca.

Description

''Stenocereus pruinosus'' grows in the form of a tree with sparsely to richly branching stems and reaches a size of 4-5 m in height. A clear trunk is usually formed. It has a light glaucous trunk with dark green shoots and they are 8 to 12 cm in diameter. There are six (rarely five to eight) corrugated ribs. The areoles with three to nine grayish central spines 2 to 3 cm (rarely up to 5 cm) long. The five to nine (rarely up to twelve) radial spines are also grayish in color and usually less than 15 millimeters. Funnel-shaped flowers, white, up to 9 cm long with the flowers appearing near the tips of the shoots. They open at night and are open until the next day. The elongated green fruit, tinged with red, 5 to 8 cm long and can reach a diameter of 5 cm. The flesh is red.

Distribution

''Stenocereus pruinosus'' is distributed in the Mexican states of

Chiapas Chiapas (; Tzotzil language, Tzotzil and Tzeltal language, Tzeltal: ''Chyapas'' ), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Chiapas ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Chiapas), is one of the states that make up the Political divisions of Mexico, ...

, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas and Veracruz at an altitude of 800 to 1900 m.

Uses

Because of its edible fruit, this species is a valuable food source in its native range, Mexico, being harvested and sold in many rural markets.

References

pruinosus Endemic flora of Mexico {{cactus-stub