Do you remember that song from Sesame Street, where they would show 3 things that were the same and one thing that was different?  Then you had to pick the thing that didn’t belong with the others?

I love watching Sesame Street with my younger sister and I always liked that song.

Well, I decided to borrow the song’s theme and apply it to the 4 pictures below to see if you can tell which one doesn’t belong.

In other words…..you are getting a “pop quiz”.

Are you ready?  Let’s get started….

Okay, which one of these doesn’t belong with the others?

#1

#2

#3

#4

So, could you tell which one doesn’t belong?

Do you want a hint?

They are all cacti, but one is found in Baja Mexico, while the others are found in the Sonoran Desert.

Give up?

#3 doesn’t belong.

Why not?

Well, while it looks an awful lot like a Saguaro cactus (Saguaro carnegiea), it is actually a Cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei).

I admit, that it can be awfully hard to tell the difference to the casual observer unless you look carefully.  

Cardon on the left and a Saguaro on the right.

Cardon cacti are the largest in the world and reach heights up to 70 ft. and can weigh 25 tons.  They are only found in Baja, Mexico and can live up to 300 years.

Cardon arms grow lower down then those of a Saguaro cactus and they do not have as many spines.

Also, if you look carefully, their ‘folds’ are deeper and wider then those of the Saguaro.  The color of the Cardon cactus is also a grayer color of green then the Saguaro.

Cardon cacti are available in cactus nurseries for those who want to grow them.

So next time you see a Saguaro cactus in a landscape setting; look closely, it may not be what you think.

How about you?  Have you ever seen a Cardon cactus before?  

October Craziness….Cactus, Spiders, Stormy Weather and a Mixed-up Bird