Plants in genus pachycereus
Plants in genus pachycereus
Pachycereus pringlei
Pachycereus pringlei, also known as the cardón, is the tallest living cactus, native to northwestern Mexico. It can reach a record height of 63 feet and has a stout trunk up to 3 feet in diameter. This cactus is heavily branched, with branches near the base, and features large, white, nocturnal flowers. It is slow-growing, with a lifespan that can extend for hundreds of years, and can weigh up to 25 tons. The cardón is an important food source for the Seri people and is used for construction and firewood.