Cardon, Elephant cactus
Pachycereus pringlei

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A branched upright cactus. It is tree like. It grows 13 m tall and with a main trunk 60 cm across. The mature branches have few spines. There are 10-16 rounded ribs. They bear flowers which are white and 8 cm long. They are bell or funnel shaped. They open at night. The colour of the fruit pulp can vary.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on rocky hillsides and deep alluvail soil, It needs bright light. It needs a temperature above 10°C. It will not tolerate frost. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. Adelaide Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Central America, Indonesia, Mexico (country/location of origin), North America, SE Asia, USA

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten roasted. They are also toasted an ground and mixed with salt as an oily paste. The fruit can be eaten fresh or preserved. They are also used for a drink. Ripe and unripe fruit are mixed together and the juice extracted to makes sticky cakes. The flowers are eaten fresh.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, flowers

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Cardon gigante, Cardon pelon, Kaktus gajah meksiko, Mexican giant cactus, Pringle pachycereus, Sagueso, Sahuaso, Thistle cactus

Synonyms

Cereus pringlei S. Watson; Pilocereus pringlei (S. Watson) F.A.C. Weber; Pachycereus calvus Britton & Rose;