Pachycereus

Crestate specimen

Crestate specimen

Crestate specimen

Crestate specimen

Crestate specimen

Crestate specimen

seedlings on thatched roof where birds consume Cardon fruit and deposit seeds. Entrance kiosk in Mesquite-Pachycereus bosque comprising sanctuary grounds

in xerophilous/sarcocaulescent scrub on coastal piedmont southwest of Sierra de la Laguna

in xerophilous/sarcocaulescent scrub on coastal piedmont southwest of Sierra de la Laguna

in xerophilous/sarcocaulescent scrub on coastal piedmont southwest of Sierra de la Laguna

mature spine pattern

Note distinctive basal or low branching habit of this columnar cactus compared to Saguaro. Plants scattered on fine silty volcanic soil of a gently sloping plain with good diversity of cacti and shrub cover but a paucity of forbs or grasses resulting from a long history of overgrazing

on sandy coastal plain behind beach dunes just north of Punta Cirios. Droppings from perching birds provide a whitish cast to highest upper stems.

on sandy coastal plain behind beach dunes just north of Punta Cirios. White cast of uppermost stems results from droppings of perching birds, mostly ospreys.

on sandy coastal plain behind beach dunes just north of Punta Cirios. Droppings from perching birds provide a whitish cast to highest upper stems.

plants forming a small cardonal (cardon forest) on sandy soil of coastal plain between low rhyolitic hills and the gulf shore, with Larrea tridentata, Bursera, Encelia and scattered Stenocereus thurberi.

plants forming a large cardonal (cardon forest) on sandy soil of coastal plain between low rhyolitic hills and the gulf shore, with Larrea tridentata, Bursera, Encelia and scattered Stenocereus thurberi.

plants forming a large cardonal (cardon forest) on sandy soil of coastal plain between low rhyolitic hills and the gulf shore, with Larrea tridentata, Bursera, Encelia and scattered Stenocereus thurberi.

View of large Pachycereus pringlei forest (cardonal) on gently sloping coastal plain with Stenocereus thurberi and Larrea tridentate.

on sandy alluvium of coastal plain with nesting Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). Cardons along the coast are commonly used for nesting and perches by these fish eating birds of prey.