Organ Pipe CactusThe organ pipe cactus, also spelled as organpipe cactus or organ-pipe cactus, is from the Cactaceae family. Scientifically known as Stenocereus thurberi, the cactus is also synonymous to Cereus thurberi and Marshallocereus thurberi.
This tree-like cactus which grows from 9-20 ft. tall supports a lot of branches from its short-trunked base. It branches at the base so it makes the stems look like large pipes of an old-fashioned organ. That’s where the name stemmed from. Its stems are approximately 6 inches in diameter and they hardly ever branch out. They have 12-17 ribs that are dark-green in color. From close-set areoles on the top of the ribs grow 9 to 10 brown 3/8 inch spines grow which turn gray with age. The stems keep growing from the tips. This indicates every growing season with a small constriction in the region of the stem. 
The Stenocereus thurberi can only be found in the warmest areas of the Sonoran Desert since these desert sentinels are quite sensitive to extreme winter frosts. It is located from the southwestern part of Arizona, southern region to Sonora, Baja California in Mexico and Sinaloa. The desert cactus, being sensitive to frost, grows on the southern facing slopes under 3,000 feet elevations. You may find this cactus also in the most southern part of Arizona. It is eminent at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, which was built to safeguard the cactus in its northern most part. This cactus also bloom beautiful flowers annually from May to July. They bloom nocturnally from the tip of its stems, which regularly attract bats. The flowers are colored white or pale lavender. These beautiful flowers are pollinated by bats that feed on nectar. When morning comes, the flower closes again. The organ pipe cactus has numerous buds that open up on various days. The flower season may last for several weeks. This cactus also produces large, red and fleshy fruit that’s safe to eat. The fruits are spiny and ripen late in summer. They drop their spines as they mature and open up to show a red pulp that’s safe for consumption. These sweet fruits are eaten by a range of desert wildlife. A lot of people also like to eat it raw or dried. Sometimes they turn it to jelly. You can also make it into syrup and ferment it to a drink. These delicious fruits are even made into a candy in Mexico called pitahaya dulce. ________________________________________________________________ Top of Organ Pipe Cactus Listed under Desert Plants Similar Posts ______________ |