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Cardon with Flowers

 

 

Organ Pipe with Flower

 

 

 

 

Prickly Pear Fruit

 
Compass Cacuts 

Animals of East Cape Los Cabos The East Cape Region East Cape Map

Cacti of the East Cape Region, Los Cabos Mexico

Cardon cacti the largest of the cacti grow almost side by side like tall multi-trunk trees which can grow to the height of 65'and are the world's tallest. They can weigh as much as 12 tons and measure 5' thick through the base of it's trunk. The Cardon has been used as wrapping for wounds as the flesh can act as a painkiller, healing agent and disinfectant. The hardwood core, when dried are rot-resistant and can be used for fence post and corrals or in the construction of house walls, rafters and even beds. The fruit of the Cardon has been harvested in the past,but as other fruits are much easier to obtain the practice is not common.

Organ Pipe This cactus has a short trunk that will branch anywhere from 5 to 35 columns, which can reach heights of 25'. The fruit has been used to produce wine and the fleshy pulp of the cacti can be used mainly by ranchers for snakebites and was carried on sea voyages by the early Spaniards to prevent scurvy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prickly Pear In the Baja it is called Nopal, this cacti was taken back to Spain by early Spanish explores who developed it into a more edible form. It was then brought back to Mexico by the early missionaries. The stems are paddle shaped and the fruit of the prickly pear is called tuna. You can find both the paddles and fruit in local and North American grocery stores. The pads can be roasted on hot coals or eaten raw. The cacti can be used for bruises, burns, warts, kidney disorders and measles.

 

Barrel Cactus The flesh of the barrel cacti can be used to feed livestock, or for making candy. The fruit can be eaten raw, fried or stewed. Indians used the smaller of the species for cooking pots and the long thorns have been used for awls, needles or for tattooing. There is one special barrel cacti that can help you find your direction. This is the Compass Cactus, a member of the barrel family it always leans towards the south or southwest.

 

Sour Pitahaya This cactus can be used for fishing in quite a unique way. You cut up and crush the branches of the cacti and throw them in the water. The pulp releases a chemical that stupefies the fish, which then allows you to wade into the water and pick up the fish by hand!

 

 

 

BooJum Trees They tend to grow from a thick base gradually tapering to a pointy top, until they are older and then they begin to sprout multiple tops. They have short hair like branches sticking out all over and pimple like growths. They are hard to miss, and although they grow to 60' they only grow on average one foot every ten years. The Spanish common name for this tree is Cirio, referring to its candle-like appearance. To see the different types of cactus from the East Cape,Los Cabos be sure to visit the "Cactimundo" in San Jose del Cabo.