Stenocereus gummosus aka Dagger Cactus

Stenocereus gummosus is a spiny cactus from northwestern Mexico. It belongs to the cactus family, Cactaceae. Its English name is dagger cactus. Spanish names include pitahaya agria and pitayo agrio. Its range includes Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora. It also grows on many desert islands in the Gulf of California. This is a plant of dry scrub, not wet forest.

The plant forms an evergreen shrub with thick, succulent stems. Many stems branch close to the ground, making broad clumps. They arch outward or lie along the ground. Reported height is about 3–10 feet [1–3 metres]. One source also lists a height of 6.6 feet [2 metres]. Large thickets can spread 33 feet [10 metres] or more. This spread describes thickets, rather than a stated garden size. The branches measure about 0.16–0.26 feet [0.05–0.08 metres] across. Its low, spreading form differs from a single upright trunk.

The fruit has a bright red skin with spines. Inside, the flesh is purple and has a tart taste. Each fruit measures about 0.20–0.26 feet [0.06–0.08 metres] across. People eat the fruit raw within the plant's native range. They gather it from wild plants and sell it locally. They also use it to make a strong wine. The fruit's food value does not mean all parts are safe. The sap is toxic, and people have crushed stems to stun fish.

In the wild, this cactus grows in several dry habitats. These include desert scrub, coastal scrub, and subtropical thorn scrub. It occurs from near sea level to 3,281 feet [1,000 metres]. Its climate lies mainly in the dry subtropics. Its range also reaches into dry tropical areas. In cultivation, it needs sun and soil that drains well. It can grow in soil with little organic matter. The reported preferred pH range is 6–7.5. It has little tolerance for frost.

The species remains widespread and grows in large numbers in some places. Useful Tropical Plants reports its 2017 IUCN status as Least Concern. Changes in land use affect parts of its range. That account does not treat them as a major threat. Its broad thickets and edible fruit are key features.