Tetetzo, Cardón

Scientific Name: Neobuxbaumia tetetzo (F.A.C.Weber ex K.Schum.) Backeb.
Synonym: Carnegiea tetetzo, Cephalocereus tetazo, Cephalocereus tetetzo, Cereus tetazo, Pachycereus tetetzo, Pilocereus tetetzo
Family: Cactaceae

Origin: Mexico (Puebla: Zapotitlan de las salinas, Oaxaca)

Growth Habits: Tree-like, up to 50 feet tall (15 m), few branches; stems 7 to 12 inches in diameter (18-30 cm); 15-20 rounded ribs; 1 (to 3) blackish central spine, 2 inches long (5 cm); 8 to 15 short radials

Blooming Habits:
Pseudocephalium barely visible, as brown hairs in young floral areoles. The 2.4 inch-long (6 cm), greenish-white flowers, with linear scales, come at the stem tips. The greenish pear-shaped fruits are 0.8 to 1.2 inches long, with a slightly sweet pulp. In season, one can buy them in the Tehuacán markets as "higos de teteche" (teteche figs). The seeds are also used in the local cooking.