Pachycormus discolor – Baja Elephant Tree, Torote Blanco, Copalquín

Description

Pachycormus discolor, commonly known as the Baja Elephant Tree, is a unique, slow-growing, succulent shrub or small tree native to the Baja California peninsula of Mexico. It is a striking plant valued for its thick, gnarled trunk and branches, which are covered in a smooth, papery, exfoliating bark that peels away to reveal a greenish, photosynthetic layer beneath.

The leaves are small, pinnately compound, and drought-deciduous, meaning they fall off during the dry, hot summer to conserve water. This is when the tree’s interesting form and pale bark become the focal point. It produces panicles of small, creamy-white to pink flowers, and its overall appearance is often described as resembling an overgrown bonsai. It is a sought-after plant for collectors of rare and unusual succulents.