Xeriscape Landscaping Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment
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Cactus

Mexican Fencepost Cactus, Pachycereus marginatus

Mexican Fencepost Cactus, Native Mexico Environment Mitla - Zapotec Ruins - Oaxaca, Mexico. January 14, 2005.

Mexican Fencepost Cactus, Pachycereus marginatus Photo Glendale Xeriscape Garden February 20, 2006.

Mexican Fencepost Cactus	Pachycereus marginatus

Mexican Fencepost Cactus Pachycereus marginatus, Cactus Family ( Cactaceae ), Mexican Fencepost Cactus. Also called: Stenocereus marginatus, Central Mexico Organ Pipe, Organo, Jarritos. Mexican Fencepost Cactus has columnar trunks that can reach 20 feet tall. It can be used to create a tall fence from cuttings and it has no big spines, so it's safe for pedestrian areas. Columnar, basally branching, slow growing up to 12 feet tall. Stems 3 to 4 inches in diameter; 5 to 7 ribs; large merging areoles. It also has a slightly yellowish central spine about 3/8 inch in diameter with 5-9 radials. Very attractive for landscape use. It is also less frost resistant, and should be protected below 25°F It has one inch in diameter green - white flowers in March, which become very sweet, edible, dark red, 1/3 inch in diameter fruits. In Southern Mexico, we have noticed that Pachycereus marginatus are often used to make living fences along the streets of the small villages. They often grow at a rate of more than than 3 feet a year. Height: Height to about 20 feet. Usually about 12 feet. Spreading to about 8 feet. Flowers: Pink to greenish flowers, can have up to 2 in each areole, 1 1/4 to 1 2/3 inches long . Blooming Time: March - April. Segments: Green stems are stems 3 to 4 inches thick. Fruit: Spiny yellowish to reddish colored fruit, 1 2/3 inches in diameter, and dry. Seeds are black. Elevation: 0 - 4800 Feet. Habitat: It prefers partial shade or partial sun to full sun; soil should be dry. A Xeriscape Landscape plant. Native to South Mexico. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken At Glendale; February 20, 2006. Mitla Mexico; January 14, 2005.