Common Name: Cardón Gigante

General Information

Pachycereus pringlei is a large, spiny, succulent, tree-like cactus growing up to 12 metres tall. It has a short bole that can occasionally be up to 2 metres tall and up to 1 metre in diameter, with up to 30 erect, columnar branches forming a candelabra-like shape[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine, and also for its stems which are used for fuel and construction. The plant is grown as an ornamental in semi-arid regions, where it can be used to form a barrier hedge.
Pachycereus pringlei is widespread and locally abundant. However, the subpopulations on the continent (which include the largest individuals) are in serious decline. On a global level the plant is currently classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Southern N. America - northwest Mexico (Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora ).

Habitat

Semi-dry and very dry climates, growing in tropical deciduous forest, xerophilous scrub, oak and pine forests, often forming extensive forests in semi-arid areas; usually at elevations up to 200 metres, occasionally to 1,000 metres[, 411,1565].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pachycereus pringlei 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. Young plants cannot tolerate temperatures falling to 0°c, though older specimens can resist occasional short-lived frosts down to -4°c[].
Requires a sunny position, though young plants appreciate a little shade[]. Requires a well-drained, circum-neutral soil[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The fruit pulp becomes somewhat dry as the fruit matures[]. The seed-rich pulp is delicious, both fresh or preserved[]. The fruit is rich in pectin and is often used to make jellies[]. The pulp of the fruits and the seeds are made into a flour that is used for making tomales[, ]. The reddish fruit is a round, fleshy berry about 5cm in diameter, covered with short tan spines.

The seeds are dried or roasted, then ground with other seeds into a flour that is used as pinole[, ].

Medicinal

The stem is often used medicinally in northwest Mexico, especially as an external application on wounds with or without bleeding, sores and insect bites[]. Other conditions in which its use is indicated are: diabetes, kidney conditions, cardiac weakness, as well as being used to reduce inflammation and fever[].
The stem can be macerated, roasted or used as an infusion, and is administered locally or orally as the case may be[].
Stem sections from which the spines have been removed are heated in hot coals and applied as a poultice to ease rheumatic joints[]. The heated stem is also applied to an aching tooth and is said to bring immediate relief, though the tooth might fall out afterwards[].

This is probably the plant which was described by Clavigero (Historia de la California, 1789) under the name 'cardon.' Among other notes, he remarks that 'the missionaries found a method of utilizing the branches, for from a piece about two palms long they extracted by crushing the juice, which they boiled down, thus obtaining a balsam which is good for wounds and bruises'[].

A jelly made from the fruit is used as a treatment for dysentery[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used as a living fence in Mexico[]. The prickly stems make a stock-proof barrier.

Other Uses

The juice of the fruit, mixed with charcoal, is used in tatooing[].

The stems are used for making huts[, ]. The dried stems are used for making fences, doors, beds, beams etc[].
Containers have been fashioned from portions of the stems that have reacted to holes made in them by woodpeckers[].

The dried stems are used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings are possible, but are difficult to root[].

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