Pitayo

Stenocereus queretaroensis

Family: Cactaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Skin irritant to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Human edibility

Not researched

Edible parts

Not yet checked.

Hazardous parts

spiny stems

Preparation

Not yet checked.

Hazard type

physical (spines)

Hazard route

skin (puncture from spines)

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No pet statement was found for this species. The stems are covered in spines, which can injure curious pets (Celaya palette). That is not a finding that it is non-toxic.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Plants that share its name. To tell them apart: Common-name check: 'pitayo' is also used for other columnar cacti, and 'pitaya' in the trade often means dragon fruit (Hylocereus). The Celaya palette lists a different species as 'pitayo candelabro' (Stenocereus dumortieri). Match by the Latin name..

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: No zone range found; the Celaya palette uses no zone system. It lists tolerance of drought, frost and calcareous shallow soils.
Mature size: Celaya palette: 2.0 to 7.0 m tall; crown about 5.0 m across; slow growth. Spacing: Celaya palette planting area (cajete): 2.0 square meters per tree.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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