Pachycereus is a genus of large cacti native to Central America and Mexico.[1] They form large shrubs or small trees up to 15 m tall, with stout stems up to 1 m in diameter. Pachycereus comes from the ancient Greek παχύς (pachys) meaning "thick" and the Latin cereus meaning "torch".
, Plants of the World Online accepted six species:[1]
| Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pachycereus eichlamii (Britton & Rose) D.R.Hunt | El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico Southeast, Nicaragua | |||
| Pachycereus grandis Rose | Mexico (México State, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla) | |||
| Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum (Engelm. ex S.Watson) Britton & Rose | Indian comb | Mexico | ||
| Pachycereus pringlei (S.Watson) Britton & Rose | cardón cactus | states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora Mexico | ||
| Pachycereus tepamo Gama & S.Arias | Mexico (Michoacán) | |||
| Pachycereus weberi (J.M.Coult.) Backeb. | Mexico (Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla) |
These genera have been brought into synonymy with Pachycereus by some sources, although, not by Plants of the World Online:[1]
Species that may be placed in Pachycereus include: