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Galloping Cactus

Scientific Name: Stenocereus gummosus

English Name: galloping cactus

Spanish Name: pitahaya agria

This is a sprawling, shrubby plant with many sparsely-branched stems from the ground to about 10 feet (3 m) or more tall. Taller stems bend from their weight and lean on one another; those that touch the ground take root and branch, eventually forming large thickets. Big white nocturnal flowers are followed by fruits the size of small oranges with bright red skin and pulp. Flowering is mainly in summer, but also at other times in response to rain.

 

Range

This cactus is widespread in most of Baja California except in the high mountains and the arid northeast coast. Disjunct populations occur on the midriff islands and coastal Sonora opposite Tiburón Island.

 

Wild Animal Park Escondido Ca

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Uploaded on March 24, 2010
Taken on July 10, 2008