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Glite Dictionary
cardon

cardon

1 9.9
A very tall cactus with thick upright arms that grows in dry parts of the Americas
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑrdən/
  • US
: cardón
  • In the arid landscape, the towering cardon cacti create a stunning silhouette against the sunset.
  • towering cardon

Examples

  • The cardon cactus can grow over 60 feet tall.

  • Look at that giant cardon!

  • The cardon is one of the tallest cacti found in the deserts of northwestern Mexico.

  • Many animals find shelter in the thick arms of the cardon during the hottest part of the day.

  • Tourists are often amazed by the size and beauty of a mature cardon cactus.

  • The cardon is a magnificent cactus that can reach heights of up to 60 feet in the deserts of Mexico.

  • The cardon, with its tall, columnar shape, serves as a vital source of water and shelter for desert wildlife.

Surface Forms

cardon singular
cardons plural

Etymology

Cardon comes from Spanish cardo 'thistle' plus the ending -ón 'big', so it literally means 'big thistle'. That's why cardon is used for a giant, column cactus—think of a huge, spiky thistle standing tall in the desert.