Kings of the Thorn Forest

Pachycereus weberi is the largest cactus in the world (though Pachy pringlei is a runner up). In thisbepisod of Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't, we explore the subtle nuances (and surrounding habitat and ecology) of the world's largest cactus.
Your contributions support this content. It sounds clichéd, but it's true. Whether it's travel expenses, vehicle repair, or medical costs for urushiol poisoning (or rockfalls, beestings, hand slices, toxic sap, etc), your financial support allows this content to continue so the beauty of Earth's flora can be made accessible to the rest of us in the degenerate public. At a time when so much is disappearing beneath the human footprint, CPBBD is willing to do whatever it takes to document these plant species and the ecological communities they are a part of before they're gone for good.
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Thanks, GFY.

[@js3883]

Amazing video. You are the ambassador of the plant world. I never had an appreciation of Botany until I saw your channel.

[@js3883]

For the record I did Peyote on Halloween in College at Madison WI in 1982-40 years ago. Tried to clean the dried buttons, and ate 9 buttons, a large dose. Puked my guts out and Mr. Peyote danced on my head for 30 hours. My friend watched over me. He did a oz of mushrooms dried. All I did is laugh, kind of oblivious. Early on I started tearing someone's mushroom costume apart thinking I found the motherload. He stopped me. To be honest it was pretty intense. It in no way was a party drug. Rule one is you just have to go with the flow when your tripping that much or it will be very very bad. Not recommended for anyone who is into control. Lots of bonfires that night and I saw a red devil hanging on a streetlight raising his fist up over one bonfire.......maybe. It was before it got real big. Memory lane.

[@SavouryWhale]

Lmfao

[@charlesross9260]

Onaa my favrit fuckin guys. He knows his botany, too.

[@tech5298]

Why…did I begin to hear Cuba Gooding Jr.? “You are the ambassador of Kuan?!” for a split second…

[@Dude_Diligence]

Dude your intros keep getting better and better. The drone flybys and the chill beats are great.

[@MrEiht]

Don't start to touch yourself, ok?! Fap no no!

[@i-love-comountains3850]

Seriously they're mindblowing! Anyone know the song?

[@shanedelgado666]

The earth does astounding things when you leave her alone. Gorgeous cacti, the size is amazing.

[@ourladyofguadalupebotanica6732]

Soil and plants are extraordinarily resilient. If mankind could ever fully comprehend that we could utilize plants and soil as a means of cleaning the crap we produce. That is instead of killing off the biodiversity. Increase the diversity and protect the plants, animals and soil, and they will conversely protect us. Simple solution.

[@rafaeltorres7230]

It's a surprise seeing you here in Mexico, and the estate of Puebla had a hell of amazing especies, I hope one day you have a chance to visit the oak woods near the city of Puebla they are one of the most beautiful ecosystems that we have here you can find trees from higher altitudes, in combination from cacatae from the lower altitudes it's just amazing.

[@1ACL]

I would like to see that.

[@ariocarpuss907]

Tony your obsession with the Pachy totalling understandable. It can be argued that people not in awe of this magnificent beast are the weirdos. The intro was so spot on, plant porn at its most satisfying.

[@jmendezsj]

enjoying this oaxacan series

[@belalugrisi1614]

Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for taking us along for the fine education and entertainment. Best to you!

[@hhheee3939]

How is it holding up all that weight? Pretty amazing speck of dust we live on. Thanks for highlighting the ones you love and sharing so we can appreciate 2

[@1ACL]

What an amazing landscape. Beautiful. Thx for the drone shots.

[@juliettedemaso7588]

Ngl this plant, these shots.. made me emotional. ❤

[@Nantosuelta]

I appreciate that subtle Pink Flamingos reference. Best plant/botany channel on youtube hands down! Keep up the good work!

[@8devkhan8]

I just got back from two weeks in Oaxaca, thanks for explaining the amazing plants I saw. What a beautiful place! Muchas gracias.

[@noahhornak6308]

Going to be visiting for the first time in December for a few weeks as well. Any recommendations for parks or areas to check out?

[@8devkhan8]

Monte Albán, Mitla, and Yagul are amazing, definitely see them to learn about the pre-European history of the Zapotecs. Monte Albán in particular has a totally different biome than the valley and is worth checking it out just for that. I wasn’t able to get in the botanical garden in Centro as tours fill up quickly but I’ve heard it’s worth seeing. Visit Santiago Matatlan for mezcal, get mole negro, and tlayudas. Go to the Zocalo for good food and great people watching. The cuisine is great, and folks are nice. Watch some videos about the Zapotecs and the history of Oaxaca valley. Enjoy!!

[@MopTop88]

Aside from vastly expanding my appreciation of the botanical world around me everywhere I go, you’re also responsible for my new practice of casually inserting “como se dise” into conversation

[@jackbennett2269]

Had to smash like at “it DOES calm my homicidal thoughts,”

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

Stumbled upon your videos. They are amazing. Thank you for all you do.

[@anonsforever_]

I love the channel. Salute Italian brother.

[@gardengatesopen]

🌵🏜 Morning Cacti 🏜🌵 💚 How nice to wake up to ❤️

[@Hellyvella]

Truly enjoying these new aerial montage intros (and having my mind detailed by everything else, as usual, too). *goat sounds in the background an added bonus.

[@Hellyvella]

Also, shit, the physics of those “massive bastards” remaining vertical…

[@KENTOSI]

Oh I'm liking the drone footage!! You need to revisit all your previous places and try it :D

[@jessen00001]

Great video 💪 Thãnkš 👍

[@jsheldon5169]

"I am no cactus expert but I know a prick when I see one" ~ Queen Elizabeth

[@katiekane5247]

That's a massive bastard Joey! Said in my best lecherous old lady voice (°•°) Edit: it's beyond a plant at that point, it's an entire ecosystem. Thanks for sharing.

[@fenrirgg]

I don't think I've seen shots like those, directly over the cactus, they look amazing!

[@hudcummings2979]

absolutely incredible journey through a holy place; Blessed be Mother Earth! Thanks for doing this. GFY; PEACE

[@stewiepid4385]

I'd make bongs out of these! Hello from Cannabis-Friendly Michigan.

[@Greystorm1619]

Love how excited he gets at 16:39. Even makes me happy and I'm depressed as shit

[@MrEiht]

From Aztekium to Saguaro, I love 'em all. One is 100 years old and baseball size, the other one...well you see. You need a drone to look under its skirt. Amazing.

[@raymonddettlaff1386]

Living in Arizona, I never imagined cactus getting so large. Truly spectacular. Love your drone shots. Are these the cactus that we find in the Home depot nurseries? Tiny cloned versions of what they're supposed to be in nature. Was waiting for this video after you previewed photos on Instagram. Thank you so much for such beautiful footage. I'm still hoping that one day you come across the Crown of Thorns tree I find in the Verde Valley. Growing only in Limestone.

[@RAREDRAGONFRUIT]

Excellent drone footage, beautiful habitat.

[@dawsonparadise7132]

That’s a beefcake menorah right there! Very exciting 🕯🕯🕯

[@i-love-comountains3850]

I got so used to "3 years (or months) ago" that "3 hours ago" took me way too long to process lol

[@ZetaCarinae]

Nice little Pink Flamingos reference there.

[@Joey-vw1id]

Another great video from my favorite KZbin botanist. Those cacti 🌵 were gigantic! I'm starting an indoor cactus/succulent garden. It's looking pretty good so far. Thanks for another great video 💚🌱🌵❤️🌎🌏🌍❤️

[@avisoncino8665]

There’s a house in my neighborhood (I’m in San Diego) that has an enormous weberi growing on their front yard. Truly a massive bastard

[@robertwalker3523]

Outro's are the best, you have carefree attitude that gives a damn. Fricken amazing work.

[@yhlanded]

Vibing so hard to the intro. You’re killing it

[@markweidemann4641]

Very Cool Tony, Quite the Amazing Ecosystem

[@craighoover1495]

Thank you Tony, I'll echo praise for the opening with the drone. Gives a sense of the habitat.

[@vonlobo]

So old, amazing 🤘🥳🖖

[@LimeTreePrickly]

I love how excited you are about plants in general and especially cacti. Im dead inside so i usually never laugh or get excited about anything but now that changed for a couple of minutes. So thanks, you changed my life for a brief moment.

[@Mayo-Lord]

I keep getting more and more into it, thanks CPBBD!

[@jessem.2807]

Joey is the living human version of Ferdinand the Bull! The videography and music on the intro is choice!

[@saraseifert6005]

Joe you gotta spend some time up in Northeastern Washington this spring! Bring the whole fam damly up around mother’s day and see the amazing flowers in the woods here! Breathtaking brother!

[@LindenRanch]

So awesome and your description excites us too.

[@davehalliday9399]

That was beautiful and amazing thank you.

[@EnriqueJega]

Your videos are super high quality!!!

[@casperevans9194]

This is the funniest botany video I have ever seen, genuinely amazing content!

[@duncanpage1556]

Great vid Tony! Hello from Alberta

[@Daniel-xu9ut]

That is some beautiful scenery

[@napalmholocaust9093]

Very nice. Well done.

[@crazywileycoyote]

Thanks for the great vid this mornin joe

[@JRvillablancademendoza]

Amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing!!! I love the pachycereus weberi and pringlei! I bought a 3-stem pot at the big box store, now just need to wait 100 years for it to get bigger to provide excellent shade for my house.

[@BelgianSpeedcuber]

I enjoyed this video very much!! Thx for sharing :)

[@nllg1273]

Beautiful cacti!

[@alandonaly457]

Nice video Joey a part of Mexico I haven't been. I missed a lot apparently, cool cacti. Great video I hope there is more, tgfy.

[@TheTanoshimu]

Yay! My absolute favorite plant ❤🎉

[@xuejiaoxu6778]

Another great video

[@jaydonnelly5038]

Amazing cactus 🌵

[@samiecain1244]

Love your videos :) These blow my mind , living in wet & rainy uk I've only seen tiny cacti living in pots ! One day i shall make it across the pond

[@alexisconnergaming6793]

These are so beautiful. I hope to visit sometime to experience the environment 🥰

[@paulbugnacki7107]

Nice jams with the aerial footage!

[@danielletranberg-yy4wb]

Wow... takes my breath away

[@kariburk9364]

supercool stuff! appreciate your intrepid awesomeness

[@Los13Pitayos]

Awesome video 👍

[@michaelculbertson3584]

You are great.

[@mariakasstan]

great aerial drone footage.

[@danielpirone8028]

Any lizards or similar larger creatures live in the ecosystem that it cremates ? How about fugi ( parasitic? ) or a moss ?

[@derekflow]

I've always wondered if tons of spiders live in those large clumps of cacti, it seems like a pretty solid environment for them

[@ChristopherGrey1327]

Just got my Dept. of Unauthorized Forestry hat. Thank you

[@bobbiechinn9578]

Love it thank u!

[@debbiehenri345]

I've just heard the news through The Royal Parks Guild network - Joey will be giving a lecture at Kew Gardens, London, in January! This should be fun. I'm not very good at travelling, but hope to be there if I can!

[@CrimePaysButBotanyDoesnt]

Ah shit I forgot about that. Wish they were flying me out there, it's just over zoom though

[@brianballa3086]

Love it ......

[@louCanitz]

I would not bet able to ADHD my way through 30 articles during research without a video like this running at volume _6_ in a pinned tab

[@Kiu_8]

9:14 Tuna (prickly pear) juice is absolutely delicious man, it's such a difficult taste to describe to someone who's never tried it, but, since I've tasted it quite a lot, my best description of it is for the uninitiated is that it kind of tastes like watermelon and tamarind.

[@bonnieuptree5691]

Looks amazingly like it could be another World. 🌵

[@old-fashionedcoughypot]

Amazing plants! Some of those fruits must be edible and choice when in season.

[@kobaltocr6927]

Hermoso que nivel de plantas un espectaculo

[@ghewins]

Divine, nice

[@mybluedoor]

Calms my homicidal thoughts…. Tony, I have never known anyone else who has this reaction to Cactus. I have to say, knowing what scarcity they can exploit so successfully, calms me down too!

[@stephenmorton8017]

The drone is a perfect addition to your work. Does geology pay? I hope you find a shiny rock somewhere. Or maybe the treasure of the Sierra Madre.

[@daaam2160]

Would love for you to take us along on a trip to the beach to describe the organisms of the two legged variety wandering along the waters edge. Great descriptive verbiage you adventurous sob

[@arianaink100]

I like that cacti are just sorta plants that go ‘yup this spot looks great’ while everything else is roasting to a crisp and they’ll just keep going in that one spot because nothing messes with them. Idk all other plants wanna spread out as fast as possible try for as far a range for survival I like that they refuse a bit and try to just tough it out and they can live longer then trees because of it

[@xCoolBreezex]

I came for the cacti and stayed for the sick beats

[@stephenblack3272]

Heyhey. Going hiking to a lake called, Peirce Lake, in Canada BC. At an elevation of 1500 meters roughly. I missed the wild flower blooms but since ive been watching your vids ive taken to paying attention to the little stuff. Im eager to poke around on the mountain and see what i can find. Thanks for the content. 🌱

[@gaywizard2000]

Pierce Lake? West Coast, yes?

[@jaytonpage184]

That vachellia is one of my favorite scents. I discovered it in New Mexico a few years back.

[@KeenEyeFPV]

I love your channel and I noticed you added a drone to your videos. Come to Alaska and let's go flying!

[@matthewwagner47]

Never seen that type of cactus. Awsome

[@alanthecat59]

superb

[@keysyliving9270]

Awesome amazing, buddy. Love your videos so much. Watch out, those greedy bastards are going to try n throw numbers at you soon with everything looking this sharp! Lots of love and support.

[@Vitali_Osandor]

Glad I found his channel

[@kenregrooney6804]

Love the music

[@Ishidalover]

God those cacti are so huge and geometric they seem like they belong in a scifi video game on an alien planet, not ours in real life! Beautiful!!

[@katielin2379]

What a beautiful forest

[@KeithSwanger]

Holy Hell Dats Real Nice

[@better.better]

Want to be FIRST?! DO YOU -want- to be -FIRST??! Satisfy your competitive nature by supporting on Patreon.

[@qutube100]

Awesome video perfect length main topic focus but costars native to habit and realy good camerawork mia cazzo!

[@Anarcho-Pragmatist]

That intro deserves an Oscar.

[@palerepeat6735]

nothing but the finest cracktus

[@kerriefearby9542]

Loved this video. Total eye candy is an understatement. Please mention the Opuntia you come across, I love them. What sort of Opuntia was at 10:16. Thanks from a grateful Australian fan 🦘🦘🦘🦘

[@peterfenwick2540]

You have further educated me. I love your videos but am not a plant boffin. My daughter and I are very proud of her pachypodium lamerei and the fact that we remember the name but it was only now I thought to find out what pachy meant. I know a good couple of people that are "pachy" LOL!

[@analogtom]

Banger !