Pachycereus


Pachycereus is a genus of large cacti native to Central America and Mexico. They form large shrubs or small trees up to 15 m tall, with stout stems up to 1 m in diameter. Pachycereus comes from the ancient Greek παχύς meaning "thick" and the Latin cereus meaning "torch".

Taxonomy

Species

, Plants of [the World Online] accepted six species:
ImageScientific nameCommon nameDistribution
Pachycereus grandis RoseMexico
Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum Britton & RoseIndian combMexico
Pachycereus pringlei Britton & Rosecardón cactusstates of Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora Mexico
Pachycereus tepamo Gama & S.AriasMexico
Pachycereus weberi Backeb.Mexico

P. pringlei is the tallest cactus species in the world, with a maximum recorded height of 19.2 m.

Synonymy

These genera have been brought into synonymy with Pachycereus by some sources, although as of 2023, not by Plants of the World Online:
Species that may be placed in Pachycereus include: