What is a Saguaro Cactus?
Arizona Travel Guide answers the question of what is a saguaro cactus, along with fun facts about this iconic symbol of Arizona’s deserts.
What is a saguaro cactus? Well to us, it’s a sign that we’re back home in Arizona. If we’ve been out of state or overseas, we’re always on the look-out for the first saguaro cactus we can see, to tell us that we’re home again.
The saguaro is not only an iconic symbol of the deserts of Arizona, it’s a remarkable plant. In fact it often seems more human than plant, with its arms reaching out as if to communicate.
The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is an unmistakable symbol of the American Southwest, particularly the Sonoran Desert, although it also grows in northern Mexico and the very east of California. It grows nowhere else on earth, and here’s some information about them.
Appearance of the Saguaro Cactus:
Tall, columnar cactus with distinctive “arms” that typically develop as they age.
Can grow over 40 feet tall.
Covered in sharp spines for protection – do not mess with a saguaro!
Habitat: Primarily found in the Sonoran Desert, which spans parts of Arizona, California, and Mexico.
Lifespan: Can live for 150-200 years or more.
Growth Rate: Extremely slow-growing, especially in their early years when they may take ten years to grow by one inch.
10 Fun Facts About the Saguaro Cactus
1. Nurse Trees: Young saguaros often grow under the shade of other trees (like the palo verde) for protection from the harsh desert sun. These “nurse trees” eventually die as the saguaro grows larger.
2. Water Storage: Saguaros have a remarkable ability to store water in their thick stems, allowing them to survive long periods of drought. After the annual Arizona monsoons, they will be much fatter.
3. Flowering Marvel: Saguaros produce large, white, fragrant flowers at night. These flowers, which appear at the tops of the cactus, are pollinated by bats, birds, and insects.
4. Fruitful Feast: The saguaro produces edible, red fruit in the summer. These fruits are a vital food source for many desert animals, including birds, bats, and even humans. The Native Americans have long harvested the fruit of the saguaro and other cactus, like the prickly pear. They can be used in food and drinks.
5. State Flower: The saguaro blossom is the state flower of Arizona.
6. Slow Starters: It can take a saguaro 10 years to grow just one inch tall.
7. Arm Development: Saguaros typically start developing “arms” around the age of 75.
8. Giant Among Cacti: The saguaro is the largest cactus species in the United States.
9. Protected Species: Saguaros are protected by law in many areas.
10. Cultural Significance: The saguaro plays an important role in the culture and folklore of the Sonoran Desert region.
Frommer’s Arizona and the Grand Canyon
This is our recommended guide for Arizona and the Grand Canyon, if you’re thinking of planning a visit. The two authors both live full-time in Arizona and the book is therefore based on lifetime experiences of the state. It has 86% 5- and 4-star ratings on Amazon.
