About Browningia candelaris (Meyen) Britton & Rose
Browningia candelaris grows in a tree-like habit, and can reach a maximum height of 6 meters (20 feet). Mature individuals have a distinct unbranched trunk that grows up to 50 cm (20 inches) in diameter. This trunk is densely covered with straight brown spines that are typically 6–15 cm (2.4–5.9 in) long. Mauseth recorded spines of this species reaching up to 10.2 inches (25.5 centimeters) in length. Above the trunk, the plant develops a crown of thinner branching stems. These thinner stems may be completely spineless, or only have spines reduced to a small number of bristles. All stems of Browningia candelaris have approximately 50 ribs. This species produces white, tubular flowers that are 8–12 cm (3.1–4.7 in) long. After flowering, it develops fleshy fruits that turn yellow when ripe, growing up to 7 cm (2.8 in) long. The fruits of this species are edible.
