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
Type species
Pachycereus pringlei
Species

See text.

Synonyms
  • Anisocereus Backeb.
  • Tribularia M.Ocampo

Pachycereus is a genus of large cacti native to Central America and Mexico. They form large shrubs or small trees up to 15 m (49 ft) tall, with stout stems up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in diameter. Pachycereus comes from the ancient Greek παχύς (pachys) meaning "thick" and the Latin cereus meaning "torch".

Taxonomy

Species

As of February 2025, Plants of the World Online accepted six species:

ImageScientific nameCommon nameDistribution
Pachycereus grandis RoseMexico (México State, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla)
Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum (Engelm. ex S.Watson) Britton & RoseIndian combMexico
Pachycereus pringlei (S.Watson) Britton & Rosecardón cactusstates of Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora Mexico
Pachycereus tepamo Gama & S.AriasMexico (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 (63 ft).

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:

Species that may be placed in Pachycereus include:

Psychoactive use

Some Pachycereus species, such as Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum and Pachycereus pringlei, have been reported to be used by indigenous peoples as entheogens and to produce hallucinogenic effects. It is notable that neither of these cacti have been reported to contain mescaline and instead other constituents may be responsible for their psychedelic effects.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "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.
  6. 1 2 Keeper Trout & friends (2014). Cactus Chemistry By Species (Sacred Cacti 4th edition Part C Cactus Chemistry: Section 2) (PDF). Mydriatic Productions/Better Days Publishing.