Mexican fencepost cactus

Description

Lophocereus marginatus (Synonyms: Pachycereus marginatus) is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae. It is sometimes called Mexican fencepost cactus. It has columnar trunks that grow slowly to 12 feet (3.7 m) and may reach 20 feet (6.1 m) in height. Stems are 3 to 4 inches (9–10 cm) in diameter, with ribs 5 to 7 in (13–18 cm). Its central spine is about 3/8 inch (1 cm) in diameter with five to 9 radials and slightly yellowish in color. Its cuttings are sometimes used to create fences, as its spines are not as large or dangerous as some cacti. Pachycereus is a genus of 9–12 species of large cacti native to Mexico and just into southern Arizona, United States. 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 (pachys) meaning "thick" and the Latin cereus meaning "torch". Pachycereus marginatus is a species of Magnoliopsida first described by Dc., And given the simplified Asian name by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose. Pachycereus marginatus belongs to the genus Pachycereus, and the family Cactaceae.