Stenocereus eruca

Stenocereus eruca

Stenocereus eruca (Brandegee) A.C.Gibson & K.E.Horak

Stenocereus eruca is a cactus from Baja California Sur whose fleshy stems grow along the ground. Its procumbent growth form combines high stem weight with particular properties of peripheral tissues, and its mechanics have been studied in detail alongside S. gummosus [2-WWW] [Niklas et al. 2003].

2 min readUpdated 20 October 2026

Distribution and growth form

The species occurs in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. Biomechanical studies were conducted in the Magdalena region, where plants occupy sandy flats and dunes near the Pacific coast. Material from unconsolidated dunes at Estero Salinas was compared with plants growing in more consolidated sandy soil near San Carlos. Stems branch sparsely, and their tips can rise above the ground [Niklas et al. 2003].

Plants of the World Online recognises Stenocereus eruca (Brandegee) A.C.Gibson & K.E.Horak as an accepted species. Cereus eruca and Machaerocereus eruca are synonyms [2-WWW].

Geometry and tissue properties

The procumbent growth form of Stenocereus eruca is associated with high stem weight per unit length and the mechanical properties of its peripheral tissues. Bending and tensile tests showed lower elastic modulus, breaking stress and extensibility in these tissues than in S. gummosus. At the same time, the thick stems of S. eruca had greater whole-stem flexural rigidity. This distinction reflects the contribution of geometry to organ mechanics. A broad cross-section can increase stem rigidity, while high weight and low strength of the outer tissues constrain sustained vertical support [Niklas et al. 2003].

The peripheral strengthening system

The tissues near the stem surface contribute particularly strongly to support. They include the epidermis and collenchyma, a living strengthening tissue. Computer models identified a substantial contribution of the peripheral ribbed region to resistance to bending. In the stem portions examined, wood occupied a small fraction of the cross-section close to the stem axis and therefore contributed little to flexural rigidity. Together, anatomy and mechanics explain the relationship between stem construction and growth along the ground [Niklas et al. 2003].

Materials from the author's archive

The species also appears in Konrad Szychowski's private material archive [Kreuzinger 1935] [Kaktologia 2009b] [Neciu n.d.] [Gorelick 2007] [Kaktusy i Inne 2006a].

Synonyms and names in the literature

Cereus eruca · Lemaireocereus eruca · Machaerocereus eruca · Rathbunia eruca [2-WWW]

Sources for this account

[2-WWW]Source website

Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

https://powo.science.kew.org/

Accepted names, synonyms and distribution. A citation beside a taxon leads to its record.

Accessed 2026-10-08.

Article2003

On the mechanical properties of the rare endemic cactus Stenocereus eruca and the related species S. gummosus

Niklas K. J., Molina-Freaner F., Tinoco-Ojanguren C., Hogan Jr. C. J., Paolillo Jr. D. J., On the mechanical properties of the rare endemic cactus Stenocereus eruca and the related species S. gummosus, American Journal of Botany, 2003, 90(5):663-674, doi: 10.3732/ajb.90.5.663

The comparison of Stenocereus eruca and S. gummosus includes bending and tensile tests of entire stems and excised tissues, anatomical observations and computer modelling. It identifies substantial contributions of peripheral tissues and cross-sectional geometry to stem support. Interpretation requires a distinction between whole-organ flexural rigidity, tissue material properties and breaking stress.

Physiology and anatomyGenusStenocereus

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Book1935

Verzeichnis amerikanischer und anderer Sukkulenten mit Revision der Systematik der Kakteen

[Kreuzinger K., Verzeichnis amerikanischer und anderer Sukkulenten mit Revision der Systematik der Kakteen, 1935]

The historical 1935 account contains a succulent list and a revision of cactus systematics. A copy is preserved in Konrad Szychowski's private archive.

Genus

Copy in the supplied material

Zeszyt czasopisma2009b

Kaktologia — zeszyt 2

[Autor nieustalony, Kaktologia — zeszyt 2, Kaktologia, 2009b, nr 2]

A 2009 issue preserved in Konrad Szychowski's private archive. It contains collectors' material and historical cactus nomenclature.

Genus

Bibliographic details and access scope

Data according to the source used. Author unknown.

Copy in the supplied material

Katalogb.d.

Oferta kaktusów Cristiana Neciu — dokument Word

[Neciu C., Oferta kaktusów Cristiana Neciu — dokument Word, b.d.]

Cristian Neciu's cactus offer preserved in Konrad Szychowski's private archive. It documents plant names used in a collector's offer.

Genus

Copy in the supplied material

Article2007

Cochemiea halei on peninsular Baja California Sur

Gorelick R., Cochemiea halei on peninsular Baja California Sur, Cactus and Succulent Journal, 2007, 79(6):274-275

The field account presents Cochemiea halei on the Baja California Peninsula. It describes plants and conditions at the sites observed.

GenusCochemiea

Copy in the supplied material

Zeszyt czasopisma2006a

Kaktusy i Inne — zeszyt 2(3)

[Autor nieustalony, Kaktusy i Inne — zeszyt 2(3), Kaktusy i Inne, 2006a, nr 2(3)]

A 2006 issue preserved in Konrad Szychowski's private archive. Supplied excerpts include material on Didierea, Eriosyce and Parodia.

GenusDidiereaEriosyceParodia

Bibliographic details and access scope

Data according to the source used. Author unknown.

Copy in the supplied material