Cardon
Pachycereus pringlei
This Feb. 1988 photo was taken in Baja California del Norte. There is a Harris' Hawk perched near the top of the cactus and this page's author is holding his infant daughter, Heather.
UNMISTAKABLE: The Cardon Cactus is massive. Unlike the
Saguaro Cactus it branches freely from the base.
SPINE CLUSTERS: Up to three strong central spines with a corona of finer
spines. Color is gray.
RANGE: Western Sonora and Baja California. Not found naturally in
Arizona, but there are a few planted at the
Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.
FLOWERS: Flowers with large white waxy petals are scattered along the
top meter or so of each branch.
FRUIT: The reddish fruit is nearly spherical and covered with rather
long straight spines.