Pachycormus is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the cashew family commonly known as the Baja elephant tree, torote blanco, or copalquín.

This sarcocaulescent tree or shrub is characterized by its unique gnarled growth habit, skin-like exfoliating bark, and succulent nature, whose appearance has been colorfully described as "the proboscis of an elephant holding a nosegay," a "huge radish protruding from the ground," or "grotesque resemblances of the flexed limbs of a corpulent human being.

[4][5] This species is a tree or shrub (rarely) with a gnarled growth habit that can result in bizarre shapes and forms.

San Fernando Velicatá delimits the northern vicinity of this species, with variety pubescens found from there to the lower part of the peninsula near La Paz and various Gulf islands.

discolor is found on the islands of Magdalena Bay and the western flanks of the southern Sierra de La Giganta.

In the Sierra de La Giganta, the variety discolor grows sparsely on the mountain sides, but in ravines it can form impenetrable groves, and is found from sea level to an elevation of 1,500 ft (460 m).

veatchiana is found in alluvial fans and canyons, growing tallest in these locations, and also coastal localities where it takes a prostrate form, in the desert parts of the island.

[11] Typical habitats of this species in the north and central parts of its range (Laguna Chapala in Baja California and San Ignacio in Baja California Sur) are characterized by high temperatures in the summer, usually 34 to 45 °C (93 to 113 °F) in the day, and with temperatures that can fall to 3 °C (37 °F) on mild winter nights.