Pitahaya agria, Stenocereus gummosus, also well-known as Sour Pitaya and Pitahaya is an evergreen, columnar or tree-shaped cactus, a member of the Cactaceae family the genus Stenocereus.


Pitahaya agria is native to Mexico; it grows 1-3 meters, with tube-shaped dark green stems, 10 cm in diameter and with 8-9 lengthwise ribs with reddish-gray thorns, to 4 cm long, radially oriented, robust and flattened.

Stenocereus gummosus is frequently used as a decorative plant in hot and arid parts for its showy flowers. It is considered easy to grow, commonly grows slowly and it is of low upkeep. Pitahaya agria in general favours a full sun exposure and can take little frost. The sap of the Stenocereus gummosus is poisonous, and was employed by the natives to kill fish.

The flowers are large, aromatic, white, and pink to purple, up to 20 cm in length, borne near the peak of the stems from late springtime through mid summertime, appearing at night. Flowers rely on nocturnal animals such as bats or moths for fertilization by another pitaya since self fertilization won’t produce fruit.

The fruit is edible, blood-red, barbed, roundish, 6-8 cm in diameter, with little seeds that can be consumed with the flesh without trouble, somewhat acidic, very refreshing and tasteful, similar to dragon fruit. The pitaya agria fruits of Stenocereus gummosus are good to rival those of Kiwi or Lychee.

Propagation is by seeds and healthy pieces of the stem. Overwatering or undue rainfall could cause the flowers to fall and fruit to waste. Birds could be a problem.

Pitahaya agria, Sour Pitaya, Pitahaya, Stenocereus gummosus

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