Desert Challenges: Limited precipitation.
Plant Adaptations: Ridged stems channel water to shallow roots.
Desert Ecology:
This large cactus provides a home for birds, including hawks. It is typically pollinated by bats as well as birds and insects. In perfect growing locations they can reach over 60 feet tall! The fruit are eaten by birds, coyotes, javelinas, and foxes.
Ethnobotany:
The cardon has been used by natives of northwestern Mexico and Baja California in a variety of ways. The fruits are a staple of native diets. Like many other cactus fruits, it can be eaten fresh. Sometimes, it is ground up in a pulp or as a juice drink. Medicinally, the flesh of the cactus was used as a type of bandage over wounds because of its painkilling, disinfecting, and healing properties. The woody ribs of the cactus were used as firewood or were fashioned into fishing spears and hooking poles to retrieve out-of-reach fruits. The wood is notably rot resistant and thus makes a good medium for constructing fences, corrals, walls, rafters, and even beds.
