A Cardon from Baja, Calif. (IMAGE) University of California - Berkeley Caption Cardón sahueso (Pachycereus pringlei: Pachycereeae ); the tallest cactus species in the world. This individual is growing in the Cataviña region of the Baja California peninsula in México. It is associated to an old mesquite shrub (Prosopis glandulosa) that probably acted as a nurse plant. Here, the ancient Cretaceous granite pluton eroded into fields of giant rounded boulders. The slender plants in the background are boojum trees (Fouquieria columnaris). These species grow in a rich matrix of diverse desert scrub resembling a well-kept Japanese garden. Credit Alberto Búrquez Montijo, Instituto de Ecología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.