Pachyecereus is a genus of large cacti in the family Cactaceae, comprising 9-12 species. It is native to Mexico and southern Arizona, USA. Pachycereus is derived from Greek word 'pakhus' meaning thick and Latin word 'cereus' meaning torch.
Pachycereus is a slow-growing, columnar cacti that are branching with age. Young plants are usually sold as indoor plants. The funnel-shaped flowers are usually appear on plants that are over 3 m high.
Pachycereus marginatus (Organ-pipe cactus)is a columnar cactus with a five- or six-ribbed, branching, shiny stem. This cactus can grow up to 7 m tall and 3 m wide, and produces funnel-shaped white flowers in summer. Its areoles bear minute spines.
Pachycereus pringlei is a species of cactus native of northwestern Mexico in the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora. It is a slow-growing, columnar cactus with a branched, bluish-green stems that has 10-15 ribs. The large areoles each have 15-25 white spines with black tips. This cactus can grows up to 11 m tall and 3 m wide. Pachycereus pringlei is the tallest cactus species in the world, with a maximun recorded height of 19.2 m.
Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum, 11 m tall and 3 m wide, is a columnar cactus with dark green stems and 9-11 deep ribs. Each areole has 8 radial spines, 1 cm long, and longer central spines. All spines are dark brown with red bases and fade to gray.
Pachycereum schottii 'Monstrosus', 7 m tall and 2 m wide, is a columnar cactus that is branching with age. It has irregular, olive- to dark green stems and 4-15 ribs with small whte spines. In summer, funnel-shaped pink flowers are borne at night.
Pachycereus grows well in full sun and well-drained soil. Propagation is by seed in spring or summer.
Pachycereus marginatus http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cactus_fence,_House_of_Frida_and_Diego.jpg Anna Maj Michelson
Pachycereus marginatus http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starr_070906-8773_Pachycereus_marginatus.jpg Forest & Kim Starr
Pachycereus pringlei http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pachycereus_pringlei_cardon_sahueso.JPG Stephen Marlett
Pachycereus pringlei in flower http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cardon_in_flower.jpg Stephen Marlett
Fruits of Pachycereus pringlei http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fruto_del_Pachycereus_pringlei.svg Wilfredor
Pachycereus schottii 'Montrosus' http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lophocereus_schottii_var_monstrus_WPC.jpg Karl Wimmi
Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aborinine%27s_com_-_Pachycereus_pecten-aboriginum.jpg Magnus Manske
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cactus_fence,_House_of_Frida_and_Diego.jpg
Anna Maj Michelson
