Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum

Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum (Engelm. ex S.Watson) Britton & Rose

Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum is a columnar cactus native to Mexico, capable of reaching heights of up to 15 m (49 ft). The species is distinguished by its tall trunk, which ranges from 1.2 to 5.0 m in height, and its large, burr-like fruits. The specific epithet, pecten-aboriginum, is derived from Latin and refers to the traditional use of the fruits as hair combs.

Description

This species is distributed across several regions in Mexico, including the central, northeastern, northwestern, southeastern, and southwestern parts of the country. It belongs to the Cactaceae family and was first described in 1909 under the authorship of (Engelm. ex S.Watson) Britton & Rose. The plant's unique name reflects its historical utility, as the fruits were used by indigenous populations as hair combs, giving rise to the Latin term 'pecten-aboriginum', meaning 'native combs'.