CANDELABRA CACTUS, Cochal

Description:

This plant to 1-4 metres tall, from a short woody trunk. The branches have 6-8 ribs, with a long central spine and five shorter radial spines on each areola.

Habitat:

Coastal foothills, west of Parque Nacional Sierra de San Pedro Martir. The candelabra cactus is endemic to the Baja California peninsula of Mexico. It grows on hillsides on almost the whole length of the peninsula, but in the northern half it is confined to the eastern Pacific slopes where it receives winter rain, while in the southern half it is found on the western side, with summer rains.