Posted by
Baja_Costero (Baja California - Zone 11b) on Jan 24, 2016 12:20 PM concerning plant:
Bizarre giant tree, native to Baja California's slice of the Sonoran Desert, often found with the massive cardón cactus. Known as a cirio here where it's from; the word refers to a candle used in religious ceremonies. Also a couple of populations in the state of Sonora.
Populations on the peninsula range from just southeast of San Quintín (30.4°N) to just northwest of Santa Rosalía (27.5°N), at elevations from near sea level to nearly 1500m. This hyperarid region receives highly variable precipitation, varying from 0 to 20 inches a year historically over the plant's range, typically maxing out as a result of hurricanes which may hit this area in the late summer and also blow down a fair number of trees. Winter rainfall contributes a significant amount as well.
Looks like an inverted carrot, sometimes with high branches in the trunk. Double or triple trunks, or branching at almost any height may also occur, especially after damage to the main stem, which is studded with short lateral branches that carry the leaves, and then spines (which are the hard remnant that's left when the first leaves fall). Individual plants may live to 300-400 years. Plants in habitat over 1m may grow an average of 2 inches a year. White flowers appear at the end of the short lateral branches at the apex once the plant is a decade or more old, giving mature plants a candle-like appearance from a distance when in bloom.
Enjoys lots of sun at a relatively young age and appreciates regular water during the winter and spring when it's in leaf. Drought and/or summer-deciduous, approaching dormant... do not (over)water at this time.
Grows very different in a pot compared to the ground, especially the rate of growth but also the form. Natural bonsais in habitat (growing in cracks in the rock or other small spaces) have the same squat, chunky look when their roots are confined. These plants colonize pure mineral substrates in nature and can grow to impressive proportions from a crack in a boulder, presumably over many decades.
