Stenocereus is an easy to grow genus comprised of predominantly large, shrubby or tree-like columnar cacti. It is widespread from the Southern United States, throughout Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and into Northern South America. The genus name is derived from the Greek word stenos which means narrow and the Latin word cereus which means candle. The genus has been enlarged by the addition of species from several other genera. A close relative is the peculiar chinoa or chende cactus, Polaskia chende. Stenocereus species mostly flower at night and are pollinated by moths and bats. Some species, like Stenocereus martinezii, Stenocereus pruinosus and Sterberi bear delicious and refreshingly edible fruit similar to that of the Dragon Fruit Cactus, Hylocereus. They make excellent rockery plants and can also be grown in large pots. Stenocereus species are easy to grow and cold resistant to as low as -4°C, but only for short periods.

The Organ Pipe Cactus, Stenocereus thurberi, is a species of cactus native to Mexico and the United States. The species is found in rocky desert. It is locally known as pitaya dulce, Spanish for “sweet pitaya” or sweet cactus fruit. This cactus species has several narrow stems that rise vertically, growing from a single short trunk just above the ground level. These stems are about 15 cm thick and grow to a height of 4.9 m however it has been known to reach 7.0 to 7.9 meters. These stems rarely branch but rather grow annually from the tip of the last growth. The plant also produces fruit about the size of a tennis ball. Beneath the fruit’s spiny exterior is red flesh that tastes better than watermelon. The fruit are spiny at first but loses its spines when the fruit are mature and ready to be eaten.