Common names = candelabro, cardón, órgano. Cactaceae. Endemic to Mexico in low tropical deciduous forests and desert scrub. This massive Pachycereus species grows to 10 m tall (and nearly as wide) with many branches up to 40 cm thick. This photo was taken during my time in the Peace Corps working in the Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere Reserve in southern Puebla and northern Oaxaca, Mexico. The area where I worked is loaded with terrific endemics, especially cacti and succulents, Bursera, Fabaceae and euphorbs, with a total species count around 3,000 for an area of approximately a half million hectares. I couldn't decide on just one species to submit. I have a rather extensive photo collection and I'd like to bring more attention to this very cool botanical hotspot by submitting several unique species from the Reserve. Thanks for taking a look.
