Xeriscape Landscape Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment;
Pictures, Photos, And Planting Information
Cactus

Cardon, Pachycereus pringlei

Cardon, Pachycereus pringlei, March 3, 2008. Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden. These Cardons Were Planted In 1941.
Cardon, Pachycereus pringlei, Flowers. May 5, 2008. Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden.

Cardon, Pachycereus, pringlei	Cardon, Pachycereus pringlei
Cardon, Pachycereus, pringlei	Cardon, Pachycereus pringlei
Cardon, Pachycereus, pringlei	Cardon, Pachycereus pringlei
Cardon, Pachycereus, pringlei	Cardon, Pachycereus pringlei

Cardon Pachycereus pringlei, Cactus Family ( Cactaceae ), Cardon Cactus. Also called: Cereus pringlei, Pilocereus pringlei, Pachycereus calvus, Cardón, Elephant Cactus, Mexican Giant Cactus. Pachycereus pringlei is the tallest cactus in the world and the largest recorded one is 62.9 tall and with a central trunk over three feet thick. Normally in cultivation they are a little over 40 feet tall. The stems are from 8 - 12 in. wide with from 10 to 17 ribs; they have large areoles, often confluent; they have 1-3 centrals; and from 7-10 radials varying with the age of the plant. The fruit of this cactus was an important food for the hunter - gather, Seri people in Sonora, mexico. Their own name for themselves is Comcáac. They call the cactus xaasj. During blooming season, flowers appear on the upper tips of stems, especially stems with warm, southern exposure. Flowers open in the afternoon, stay open all night, then close about mid-morning the next day. The reason for this, is that the cardón, like most of the other columnar cacti of the southwestern corner of North America, depends on nightly visits from nectar feeding bats for pollination. The cardón grows best in its natural habitat in the deep soil of alluvial fans of arroyos and other waterways. Can take full sun but does best in some shade when young in Phoenix. Height: Up to 40 feet tall. Most are about 25 feet. Flowers: Its flowers, are white, up to 3 inches long. Blooming Time: Southern Arizona, March - April. Phoenix Area, April - May. Fruit & Seeds: The fruits, round fruits that are about 2 inches in diameter. The fruits red pulp is often used to make jellies. Leaves: Thorns. Found: Native to Central Baja California, Mexico. Elevation: 0 - 3,200 Feet. Habitat: Lower elevations where water is available. It grows well in sand, sandy loam. It needs good drainage and aeration. It is remarkably tolerant of alkali. Miscellaneous: Maintenance: Low. Not salt tolerant. Photos Taken March 3, 2008. And May 5, 2008. Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden.