Family: Cactaceae, Cactus view all from this family

Description Very tall, clump-forming cactus. Stems treelike, branching, and column-shaped. Height: 10-24'; width of clump: 6 1/2-20'. Flowers lavender, up to 3" long, 2-2 1/2" wide.

Flower June-September.

Habitat Gravelly or sandy soils in desert hillsides and valleys.

Range Sonoran Desert in southwestern Arizona in and near Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

Discussion This cactus branches at the base, which gives the stems the appearance of organ pipes. Since these sentinels of the desert are very sensitive to severe winter frosts, they are found only in the warmest parts of the Sonoran Desert. They do occur in extreme southern Arizona, where they are celebrated at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. In Mexico, the large, delicious fruits are made into a candy called "pitahaya dulce." The nocturnal flowers are beautiful and often attract bats.