Pachycereus

Pachycereus
Pachycereus pringlei in Baja California, Mexico
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Echinocereeae
Genus: Pachycereus
(A.Berger) Britton & Rose[1]
Type species
Pachycereus pringlei
Species

See text.

Synonyms[1]
  • Anisocereus Backeb.
  • Tribularia M.Ocampo

Pachycereus is a genus of large cacti native to Central America and Mexico.[1] 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 (pachys) meaning "thick" and the Latin cereus meaning "torch".

Taxonomy

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Species

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As of October 2023, Plants of the World Online accepted six species:[1]

Image Scientific name Common Name Distribution
Pachycereus eichlamii (Britton & Rose) D.R.Hunt El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico Southeast, Nicaragua
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 19.2 m.[2]

Synonymy

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These genera have been brought into synonymy with Pachycereus by some sources,[citation needed] although as of October 2023, not by Plants of the World Online:[1]

Species that may be placed in Pachycereus include:

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Pachycereus (A.Berger) Britton & Rose". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  2. ^ Salak, M. (2000). In search of the tallest cactus. Cactus and Succulent Journal 72 (3).
  3. ^ "Pachycereus hollianus (F.A.C.Weber ex J.M.Coult.) Buxb." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  4. ^ "Pachycereus lepidanthus (Eichlam) Britton & Rose". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  5. ^ "Pachycereus militaris (Audot) D.R.Hunt". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
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