Sahuira
Stenocereus montanus
Family: Cactaceae
This columnar cactus starts off looking like other columnar cacti but quickly develops a trunk, especially in the more forested regions where it is found. Plants get taller than 20’ eventually. The nocturnal flowers occur in late spring and are whitish. The spikey ball fruits that follow are green outside, and can have red, white, or orange flesh (orange flesh seems to be the most common).
Plant in full to part sun. This plant is more tolerant of shadier conditions since it evolved in the tropical deciduous forest of the Sierra Madre. But avoid too much shade so plants look their best. Low water is best. Irrigate plants 2-3 times a month in summer to keep plants looking good. Plants can tolerate short, cold snaps such as is found in our region. Protect younger plants from any frost, but older plants can take down to 25°F. Protect the new growth tips.
Bats pollinate the flowers and consume the fruits as well. Humans, birds, and other animals also eat the fruits. Many birds nest in these large, arborescent cacti.
Stenocerus comes from the Greek steno for narrow and the Latin cereus meaning a tapered candle. The species name, montanus, references the mountains which these plants are mostly found growing in (the Sierra Madre).
Sahuira ranges from southern Sonora to Colima mostly in dry, tropical deciduous forest.
Flowers occur in late spring. Photo by Mark Dimmitt, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
The fruits are a spikey ball. Photo by J. Fernando Pío León, iNaturalist
The color of the fruit's flesh can vary. Photo by J. Fernando Pío León, iNaturalist