Stenocereus alamosensis
Stenocereus alamosensis is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Description
Stenocereus alamosensis is a shrub-like cactus with bluish-green, columnar, and often arched shoots up to 8 cm in diameter, reaching 2–4 meters in height. Its stems have 5–8 slightly arched ribs, about 1 cm high. The cactus features 1–4 strong, protruding, whitish central spines up to 4.5 cm long, and 11–18 whitish marginal spines measuring 1.3–2.2 cm. The tubular red flowers bloom during the day, measuring 7–10 cm in length and 2–3 cm in diameter, with reflexed bracts. The spherical red fruits, typically bare when ripe, have a persistent flower remnant and are 3–4.5 cm in diameter.
Distribution
Native to Sonora and Sinaloa, Mexico, Stenocereus alamosensis grows at altitudes of 0 to 800 meters. It is viviparous, apparently an adaptation to living in coastal plains which are prone to flooding.
Taxonomy
It was first described as Cereus alamosensis by John Merle Coulter in 1896, with its name referencing its occurrence near the city of Álamos. In 1979, Arthur Charles Gibson and Karl E. Horak reclassified it under the genus Stenocereus. The Seri people of Sonora call this cactus xasaacoj. The specific epithet, alamosensis, refers to the plant's occurrence at Álamos in the Mexican state of Sonora, in northwestern Mexico. Spanish common names include "Cina," "Nacido," "Sina," and "Tasajo."