Sometimes called “Texas golden rainbow,” the yellow pitaya of the
Chihuahuan Desert is similar in appearance, except for the color of its
blossoms, to the rainbow echinocereus. Quite common in portions of Big
Bend National Park, the Stubby, upright stems usually grow singly but
sometimes occur in small clusters. The term _pitaya_ or _pitahaya_ is
commonly applied along the Mexican border to cactuses bearing edible
fruits. In Texas the term refers to the low-growing floral hedgehogs; in
Arizona to the columnar cactuses. Pricklypear cactuses having soft,
juicy, edible fruit are known as _tunas_.
_Echinocereus dasyacanthus_ Cactus Family
[Illustration: YELLOW PITAYA ECHINOCEREUS]