-The organ pipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi) is native to the United States and Mexico
-Second-largest columnar cactus in the US ... can grow up to 23 feet tall
-Has several columnar arms that grow from the base or near it, forming candelabra-like structures ... the stems are green to gray in color and covered in brown spines
-The organ pipe cactus is an example of the adaptations cacti need to thrive in the Sonoran Desert ... it is a warmth-loving species that can be found on south-facing rocky slopes
-Produces large, round, edible fruit after flowering ... the fruit loses its spines as it ripens, and the seeds are dark brown with a sweet, bright red pulp
-Historically, the fruits have been harvested for food and the stems have been used for medicinal purposes
Also, see: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument