Cereus Gigantea

The suwarrow of the Mexicans, a native of the

hot, arid, and almost desert regions of New Mexico, found growing

in rocky places, in valleys, and on mountain sides, often

springing out of mere crevices in hard rocks, and imparting a

singular aspect to the scenery of the country, its tall stems

often reaching 40 feet in height, with upright branches looking

like telegraph posts for signaling from point to point of the

rocky mountains. The fruits are about 2 or 3 inches long, of a

green color and oval form; when ripe they burst into three or four

pieces, which curve back so as to resemble a flower. Inside they

contain numerous little black seeds, imbedded in a crimson-colored

pulp, which the Indians make into a preserve. They also eat the

ripe fruit as an article of food.