Plant Fact Sheet

Anacardiaceae
Elephant Tree, Copalquin
Pachycormus discolor

Elephant tree has a short, stout trunk with thick gnarled branches. This tree, which is endemic to Baja California, can remain as a tortured and twisted shrub with its trunk growing horizontal to the ground or it can form a more upright tree in favorable locations. The thick fleshy bark is grayish white or yellow and sheds in papery sheets. The common name Elephant Tree is derived from the appearance of the thick fleshy looking trunk. Pachycormus has small green leaves and makes small white or pinkish flowers. It reaches peak bloom in midsummer when the plant is leafless. The flowers can occur anytime from May to September. Hummingbirds frequent the flowers.

Pachycormus is mainly found on rocky slopes and plains. It is most abundant in the Viscaino Desert region of Baja. It especially likes volcanic soils, where it can be the dominant tree species. One of the largest known specimens measures 30 feet tall. It is living in volcanic soil south of Tres Virgines.

Elephant Trees are what is known as drought deciduous. That is, the plants can remain without leaves for much of the year, usually when it’s dry, as a mechanism to conserve water. Winter rains cue the plants to make leaves and the leaves are shed in April or May when the rains stop. Pachycormus can store water in its trunk and stems. It also contains chlorophyll in its trunk. No large amount of photosynthesis occurs in the trunk, but it is suggested that enough energy is produced in the trunk to support rapid growth of leaves after rainfall.

The Living Desert’s Viscaino Desert garden is home to several relatively large Elephant Trees. But don’t confuse Pachycormus discolor, the elephant tree, with Bursera microphylla, the other elephant tree, which looks similar and also grows in the Viscaino Desert.