The cardon cactus, or Mexican giant cactus is found in the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora, Mexico. It is known as the giant of the Sonoran Desert and is known to be the tallest cactus in the world, reaching up to 68ft tall. I'm sure someone from
Sonora will comment that the saguaro is the tallest, but nope, the saguaro is in second place. Another difference between the cardon and the saguaro is that the cardon grows faster and can develop many more arms. Normally it is always seen surrounded by more cardons (it likes to hang out with its buddies), it is rare to see only one in its natural habitat. The cardon is sensitive to low temperatures, but it is perfectly adapted to the arid climate and droughts, since its "body" is capable of storing water as a reserve, which allows it to last for years without rain, and these reserves of water give it the meaty or succulent look.
In the spring, the cardon bears small white flowers that open in the afternoon and die the next day around noon. The flowers are pollinated especially by bats such as the Lesser Long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae), and by moths, since these are nocturnal pollinators. When the flower is pollinated, it bears a round green fruit, which later ripens and turns red, it is a favorite fruit of different birds, bats and mammals. Cardon fruits were a staple food for the indigenous people of the Sonoran Desert region. They crushed the seeds and powdered them, then added water and made a type of pinole. They also used the trunk or "ribs" to build their houses.
Here in Tucson it is said that all houses should have at least one saguaro in their gardens, now I say that all Baja Californian houses should have at least one cardon in their gardens, why? Well, because as cities have expanded, natural vegetation has been eliminated and we are banishing this important plant that provides food and shelter to wildlife. In addition, it is representative above all of the Baja California Norte and Sur peninsula, it should be a focal point plant in our gardens and parks, proudly representing our Baja California roots!
Type: Columnar cacti, the tallest of the world!
Size: Can grow up to 68ft tall.
Water use: Very little, likes arid climate. If transplanted, it is recommended to give slow and short waterings during the hottest and driest summers, taking care not to flood around its trunk, this will help it get established and then it will not require watering.
Flower season: Spring.
Flowers: Small white flowers, nocturnal.
Food for: Flowers are pollinated by bats and other insects such as moths. The fruits are food for lizards, birds, such as the woodpecker, bats and other mammals.
Where to plant: It needs direct sun, so it can develop and mature properly.
Distribution: Baja California, Baja California Sur and Sonora, Mexico.
Ancestral use: The fruit was a staple food for the indigenous people of the Sonoran Desert, it was so important because it provided food in the driest time of the year. It's trunk or "ribs" were also used to create structures and reinforce their houses.
Landscape design: It makes a great columnar focal point, which means you can place it in your garden as a kind of quick attention-grabbing piece of art, it can be placed in the middle of a patio, in a boring corner, or near places to sit and admire it. They are ideal for xeriscape gardens, combined with Desert Sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri) and minor cacti such as Opuntia basilaris. You have to take into account that it can grow many arms, and that is why it may not be a very good idea to put it next to walls, you have to give it its space to grow and look gorgeous over time.
Sources:
Book:
- Baja California Plant Field Guide 3rd Edition, Norman C. Roberts and J. Rebman.
Web:
- http://www.scielo.org.mx/pdf/au/v27n5/2007-9621-au-27-05-11.pdf
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