Pachycereus
From M&J Cactus Wiki
| Pachycereus | |
|---|---|
| File:Pachycereus pringlei.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Echinocereeae |
| SubTribe | |
| Genus | Pachycereus |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Includes some of the most massive and tallest cacti in the world. |
Etymology
The name is derived from the Greek pachys (thick) and Cereus, referring to the immense thickness of the stems.
Description
Pachycereus consists of giant, tree-like columnar cacti with massive trunks and multiple branches.
- Stems: Extremely thick, reaching up to 1 meter in diameter and heights of 15-20 meters. They are typically bluish-green or greyish-green.
- Ribs: Numerous, prominent, and straight.
- Spines: Variable; young plants are very spiny, but mature trunks often lose their spines or have them replaced by corky bark.
- Flowers: Usually nocturnal, white or cream-colored, appearing near the top of the stems. They are pollinated by bats.
- Fruits: Large, globose, and covered with dense spines or wool, which helps in seed dispersal.
Distribution
- Mexico: Primarily in Baja California, Sonora, and the central states.
- USA: Small populations of some species reach into Arizona.
Species List
Following the classification of Joël Lodé (2015):
- Pachycereus grandis
- Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum
- Pachycereus pringlei (Type species - the famous "Cardón")
- Pachycereus tepamo
- Pachycereus weberi
- Pachycereus zaacanth
