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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

Species

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

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

External links

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