Pachycormus discolor, Baja Elephant Tree, Southwest Desert Flora

Pachycormus discolor, Baja Elephant Tree

Baja Elephant Tree has flowers that range in color from cream to yellowish-white and pink. Note in the photo the flowers have 5 petals and 5 sepals arranged in panicles or racemes. The fruits are small, dry and shaped like a bladder. Pachycormus discolor

Baja Elephant Tree has dark green leaves arranged alternately along the branch. Leaves fall off in the hottest and driest months of the year. Not in the photo the leaves are pinnately compound, leaflets ovoid and the margins scalloped. Note the terminal leaflet has 3-lobes. Pachycormus discolor

Baja Elephant Tree grows to about 20 or 30 feet (6 - 9 m) high and sometimes as wide. The bark turns gray and becomes thin and papery and soon peels off showing the exposed bluish-green bark. The new bark is capable of photosynthesis. Pachycormus discolor

Baja Elephant Tree drip a resinous sap if cut or damaged, more so under hot ideal growing conditions. Pachycormus is a monotypic genus meaning only 1 species, in this case there are 3 taxa (varieties) for the single genus. Pachycormus discolor

Baja Elephant Tree is a North American native from Baja California. This is one of several species known as "Elephant" trees because of the ultimate large, swollen looking trunk or trunks. Bursera microphylla is another "elephant tree". Note; Organ Pipe cactus in the background. Pachycormus discolor

Scientific Name: Pachycormus discolor
Common Name: Baja Elephant Tree Spanish (Torote Blanco, Copalquín)

Also Called: Spanish (Torote Blanco, Copalquín)

Family: Anacardiaceae, Sumac Family

Synonyms: (Pachycormus discolor var. discolor, Schinus discolor)

Status: Native to Baja California.

Duration: Perennial

Size: 20 or 30 feet (6-9 m) tall and sometimes as wide; the trunk or multiple trunks become very large almost grotesque and may reach 24 to 32 inches (60-80 cm) in diameter.

Growth Form: Tree or large shrub; a major characteristic is the large swollen-looking trunk (caudiciform) giving the plant the common name of Elephant Tree. Another characteristic is the older bark gradually turns gray, becomes thin and papery and peels off revealing the exposed bark, which is bluish-green in color and capable of photosynthesis; stems are grayish brown; stems drip a resinous sap if cut or damaged, more so under hot ideal growing conditions.

Leaves: Green, dark green, alternate; deciduous under hot summer conditions without moisture, pinnately compound, leaflets ovoid, margins often scalloped or entire; may grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) long under ideal circumstances, the terminal leaflet is mostly with 3-lobes as shown in the photo above; leaves pubescent,

Flower Color: Cream yellowish-white or pink flowers with pink center; small 5-petal and 5-sepal flowers in panicles or racemes as shown above; fruits small, dry and shaped like a bladder.

Flowering Season: May through September

Elevation: Sea Level to 4,500 feet (0-1371 m).

Habitat Preferences: Preferred habitats in Baja California are hillsides and lava fields where it is the most dominant plant.

Recorded Range: Elephant Tree is native to North America and found exclusively in Baja California where it is most abundant in the central and southern portions. It has also been observed on Isla de Cedros.

USDA North America & US County Distribution Map for Pachycormus discolor. - No data available from USDA Plants Database.

Species distribution map for Pachycormus discolor:
Range map courtesy of Virginia Tech, Department of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation

U.S. Weed Information: No information available.
Invasive/Noxious Weed Information: No information available.
Wetland Indicator: No information available.
Threatened/Endangered Information: No information available.

Genus Information: In North America there is 1 species (monotypic genus) and 3 accepted taxa overall for Pachycormus found in Baja California peninsula. Worldwide, The Plant List includes 1 accepted species names and 2 scientific names of infraspecific rank for Pachycormus.
Tropicos includes 1 accepted species names 3 scientific names of infraspecific range for Pachycormus.

According to Tropicos there are 3 varieties in Pachycormus discolor;
Pachycormus discolor var. pubescens, white flowers, found on rocky slopes and plains, (Sierra de La Giganta);
Pachycormus discolor var. veatchiana, deep rose flowers, (Cedros Island and the western section of the Vizcaino Desert);
Pachycormus discolor var. discolor, (no information available).
It should be noted that some authors claim sub-species status as opposed to variety status.

Comments: The Baja Elephant Tree is a North American native from Baja California. This is one of several species known as "Elephant" trees because of the ultimate large, swollen looking trunk or trunks. Bursera microphylla (see below) is another "elephant tree". Because of this dramatic feature, the species is often cultivated by enthusiasts in frost free areas or areas without a hard frost. In some cases, landscaping success in the Phoenix area comes down to a matter of the micro-climate in your neighborhood or in your yard. Growing it in a container is another possibility or use it as a bonsai specimen and fully protect it.

In Southwest Desert Flora also see: Elephant Tree, Bursera microphylla. Bursera microphylla is similar looking species but actually belongs to the Burseraceae family, AKA the Elephant Tree or Torchwood Family.

Importance to Wildlife, Birds and Livestock No Information available

Special Value to Native Bees, Butterflies and Insects No information available

Etymology: The genus Pachycormus is derived at from "pachy" meaning "thick" and "kormos" meaning "stump", a reference to the thick caudiciform trunk.
The specific epithet "discolor" is originally from Middle English (1350–1400;) "discolouren" and later Latin "discolor" meaning to change color; become faded or stained, and refers to the pale bark.

Ethnobotany No information available