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The Cape Region offers the most unique native plant species, such as the endemic Cardón, Cholla, Prickly Pear and Torote Blanco. Non-endemic varieties found in our desert include Barrel Cactus, Palo Blanco Tree, Pitaya, Coralvine and Damiana. These plants can be divided into two essential groups: cacti and non-cacti.
As part of the cactus family, Cardón (Pachycereus pringlei) stands tall and erect with many columnar branches that bear flowers from March to June. A Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus gracilis) is a short, thick cactus that produces red flowers June through August. The Cholla Pelona (Optuntia cholla) has smaller and fewer spines than most cacti, making it a perfect choice for pet owners. Pitayas Dulces (Lemaireocereus thurberi), also known as Organ Pipe Cacti, are a continued favorite among area locals for their sweet, watermelon-tasting fruit. Pitaya flowers open at night and close in the morning. The Prickly Pear (Opuntia tapona) is another cactus enjoyed for its edibility. Known as Nopal as well, the Prickly Pear has a flat, pad-like stem, which is often prepared by canning or pickling with vinegar. Lastly, for a beautifully blooming garden, Damiana (Turnera diffusa) has yellow or orange-yellow flowers January through July, in addition to its medicinal and aphrodisiac properties.
Although fewer in number than cacti, there are other types of plants in our area as well. The Elephant Tree (Pachycormus discolor), also known as Torote Blanco, is covered in a grayish-white to yellowish bark that peels off in papery layers to reveal a blue-green, spongy interior containing milky juice. Palo Blanco Trees (Lysiloma candida) have straight trunks and are one of the few thornless, woody legumes on the peninsula. The flowers bloom on this tree from March through May and emit a light, spicy fragrance. Coralvine (Antigonon leptopus) is a showy, clambering, herbaceous, perennial vine that grows from a slightly woody base. It is similar to the bougainvillea and is cultivated as an ornamental, displaying sprays of perfect, brilliant crimson flowers from April through November.
These plants will make your Baja garden beautiful year round. Before embarking on your gardening endeavor, however, remember that Los Cabos' water supply is scarce and expensive, therefore the new and eco-friendly technique named Xeriscape gardening is highly recommended. Xeriscaping involves choosing plants that are appropriate to their site and creating a landscape that can be maintained with little supplemental watering.
You can find inspiration for your garden by simply looking around. However, removing plants from the countryside and wilderness is illegal, so consider an environmentally friendly alternative. Save Nature Los Cabos is an unofficial non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of biological diversity through ecosystem protection in Los Cabos. They work with major construction developers who often relocate native plants from job sites and may have a selection to browse through. For more information contact: savenatureloscabos@hotmail.com
Also, visit Vivero Los Cabos, Southern Baja's largest nursery and landscaping company, offering an extensive variety of plants. www.viveroloscabos.com.mx
Creating your native garden will express your passion for the Cape Region's desert and open spaces, and reaffirm your desire to share what you've learned about these wondrous habitats.
Article by Arturo Ramos
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