Pitayo de Mayo

Scientific Name: Stenocereus griseus (Haw.) F. Buxb.
Synonym: Cereus deficiens, Cereus eburneus, Cereus griseus, Lemaireocereus deficiens, Lemaireocereus eburneus, Lemaireocereus griseus, Neolemaireocereus griseus, Ritterocereus deficiens, Ritterocereus griseus, Stenocereus eburneus, Stenocereus victoriensis
Family: Cactaceae

Origin: Coastal Venezuela and islands nearby; encountered in Mexico in Oaxaca and Veracruz, possibly escaped from cultivation

Growth Habits: Tree like cactus, up to 30 feet tall (9 m), stems up to 5 inches in diameter (12 cm); 6-10 ribs; areoles 0.8 to 1.2 in. apart (2-3 cm), 0.3 in. long (8 mm); 1-3 reddish centrals, up to 1.6 inch (4 cm); 10-11 grey radials, up to 0.4 in long (1 cm)

The Pitayo de Mayo is cultivated for its fruit. It is also cultivated in the cactus trade industry as a source of good quality grafting stock.

An antique photo, as Lemaireocereus griseus in Britton and Rose's The Cactaceae

Blooming Habits:
White flowers with reddish outside segments, opening at night and closing around noon the following day, up to 4 inches long (10 cm). The edible fruit is globose to ovoid, 2 inches in diameter (5 cm), with red pulp (occasionally yellow). It is spiny when immature.