Common Name:

General Information

Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum is a large, spiny, succulent, tree-like cactus with a central trunk crowned with up to 40 erect columnar stems, giving the plant a somewhat candelabra-like form. It usually grows 5 - 11 metres tall (occasionally to 15 metres) with a bole that can be 2 metres high and up to 20 - 40cm in diameter[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental and can be used to make hedges[].
Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum is threatened in some areas by coastal development for tourism and urban expansion. However, the species has a wide range, is abundant, occurs within many protected areas and on a global level has no major threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known
Baja California Sur, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Sinaloa, Sonora, Zacatecas

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Southern N. America - western & southern Mexico

Habitat

Tropical deciduous forest, thorn forest, and xerophilous scrub, growing on slopes more open than canyons, low to moderate hills, and coastal plains, mainly in shallow, gravelly soils; at elevations fromsea level to 1,410 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Pollinators	Bats, Birds
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum is a plant of dry areas in the subtropics and tropics, where it is found at elevations from near sea level to more than 1,000 metres.
Requires a sunny position, though young plants appreciate a little shade[]. Requires a well-drained, circum-neutral soil[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
The ripe fruits sometimes hang on the plant for several months[].

Edible Uses

The seeds are ground into a meal and used in the preparation of cakes[, ]. The seeds are boiled in order to separate them from the pulp, then ground into a powder. This can be used with corn when making tortillas, or can be boiled again, producing a thick, nourishing oily paste[, ]. The ovoid seeds are 3 - 4.7mm long and 2 - 3.4mm wide[].

Fruit[]. The flesh becomes dry as the fruit matures[]. Eaten fresh, although it is not as fleshy as that of several other species that grow in the area[]. The red pulp and inner rind are cooked into a jelly or jam, known as 'miel de hecho'[]. The fruit is sometimes cooked to prepare a concentrated syrup or a type of wine[]. The reddish to dark reddish, globose fruits are 43 - 55mm long and 40 - 60cm in diameter, covered in abundant spines[].

A sacred narcotic drink is sometimes prepared from the young branches[].

Medicinal

The stem is used to cure digestive diseases such as colic, gastritis, ulcer and colitis[].The stem is boiled to make a tea, which is a good medicine against pain and is also used as a laxative.[].
The pulp of the stem is used for various purposes, including for making poultices to treat wounds or blemishes, for relieving itching caused by insect bites, and to ease a toothache[].

The decoction of the flowers is drunk as a urinary antiseptic[].
Applied topically, the decoction is also said to heal wounds, sores and fever[].

Extracts of the plant have been reported as effective in treating a form of abdominal cancer[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is cultivated as a hedge in Mexico[, ].

Other Uses

The burr-like fruits can be used as combs[]. The fruits, which have a dry flesh and are covered with yellow
wool and long yellow bristles, are 60 - 75mm in diameter[]. The long spines are trimmed off on one side in order to make the brush easier to hold[]

The stems are used for construction in traditional houses[]. They are used for making benches, beds, and beams for roofs and doorwaysp1986]
The stems are used for fuel[]. The wood can also be used as a torch[].

Propagation

Seed -

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