Octopus Cactus

Scientific Name: Stenocereus alamosensis (Coulter) Gibson & Horak
Synonym: Cereus alamosensis, Cereus pseudosonorensis, Cereus sonorensis, Rathbunia alamosensis, Rathbunia alamosensis var. sonorensis , Rathbunia neosonorensis, Rathbunia pseudosonorensis, Rathbunia sonorensis, Stenocereus alamosensis var. sonorensis
Family: Cactaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
USDA: 9b-10

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Mexico (Chihuahua and Sonora)

Growth Habits: Thicket of bending stems, up to 12 ft tall (3.6 m), dark green stems 3.2 in. wide (8 cm), 2 to 6 feet long (0.6-2 m); 5 to 8 sinuous ribs; areoles 1.2-1.6 in. apart (3-4 cm); 1 to 8 centrals, one up to 1.2 in. long (3 cm); 11-18 radials reddish at first.

Watering Needs: Little water when established

Blooming Habits:
Tubular pinkish red flowers, 1.6 to 4 inches long (4-10 cm). The red globose fruit is edible, 1.2 to 1.6 inches in diameter (3 to 4 cm). It has 4 to 6 white acicular spines in each areoles, that tend to fall when the fruit ripens. The seeds are black.