Pachycereus is a genus of large cacti native to Central America and Mexico. They form large shrubs or small trees up to tall, with stout stems up to in diameter. Pachycereus comes from the ancient Greek () meaning "thick" and the Latin meaning "torch".
Taxonomy Species , Plants of the World Online accepted six species: Image Scientific name Common name Distribution Pachycereus grandis Rose Mexico (México State, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla) Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum (Engelm. ex S.Watson) Britton & Rose Indian comb Mexico Pachycereus pringlei (S.Watson) Britton & Rose cardón cactus states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora Mexico Pachycereus tepamo Gama & S.Arias Mexico (Michoacán) Pachycereus weberi (J.M.Coult.) Backeb. Mexico (Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla) P. pringlei is the tallest cactus species in the world, with a maximum recorded height of .Salak, M. (2000). In search of the tallest cactus. Cactus and Succulent Journal 72 (3).
Synonymy These genera have been brought into synonymy with Pachycereus by some sources, although , not by Plants of the World Online: Lemaireocereus Britton & Rose Marginatocereus (Backeb.) Backeb.
Species that may be placed in Pachycereus include: Pachycereus hollianus (F.A.C.Weber ex J.M.Coult.) Buxb. = Lemaireocereus hollianus Pachycereus lepidanthus (Eichlam) Britton & Rose = Lemaireocereus lepidanthus Pachycereus militaris (Audot) D.R.Hunt = Mitrocereus militaris
References
External links
Flora of North America: Pachycereus Cacti Guide: Pachycereus photos on www.AIAPS.org