Mexican giant cardon cactus Apr 4, 2018

Mexican giant cardon cactus

In the world of cacti, they don’t get any bigger than the cardon. Also known as ‘elephant cactus,’ this species can grow upwards of 60 feet and weigh in at 25 tons, with squat trunks and many branches. Despite the cardon’s massive size, it’s quite sensitive to frost, a trait which limits its range. The cardon primarily grows in the Baja Peninsula, where its night-blooming flowers attract species like the lesser long-nosed bat.

© Ed Reardon/Alamy

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