Stenocereus chrysocarpus

Botanical Description

Stenocereus chrysocarpus is a spiny, succulent, evergreen tree-like cactus with a well-defined trunk and a candelabra-like branching habit; it can grow 5 - 9 metres tall. The numerous, erect, green stems are not closely bunched, they are each around 2 - 5 metres long and 10 - 14cm in diameter[ 1987 Title The Cactus Family Publication Author Anderson E.F. Publisher Timber Press; Portland, Oregon Year 2001 ISBN 0-88192-498-9 Description An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation.. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use of its fruit. The plant is also managed in the wild and its fruits are sold in local markets. Stenocereus chrysocarpus has a restricted range with only three remaining subpopulations. There is a demographic shift driven by the use and trade of the fruits which has resulted in very low recruitment and thus subpopulations are skewed in age-structure towards older individuals. The inferred result of this is that in the future this species will have a continuing decline in mature individuals. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].