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12 December 2021
The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is one of the most iconic symbols of the American Southwest, and for good reason. These majestic cacti are found primarily in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, California, and Mexico, standing tall and proud with their arm-like branches reaching toward the sky. While most people are familiar with the saguaro cactus thanks to Western films and desert landscapes, there are several fascinating facts that many may not know about this unique plant. Here are some intriguing facts about saguaro cacti that may surprise you!
Saguaro cacti are some of the longest-living plants in the desert, with lifespans that can exceed 150 years. While they grow slowly, they can reach incredible heights over their lifetime. The average age of a saguaro cactus can be difficult to determine, but some of the oldest specimens are believed to be over 200 years old! However, it’s important to note that saguaros take quite some time to mature — they may only grow about 1 to 1.5 inches in their first decade of life.
Saguaro cacti can grow up to an astounding 40-60 feet tall, though the average height is around 30 feet. However, not every saguaro cactus develops the characteristic arms. Saguaros typically start growing their first “arm” around the age of 70-100 years, and they grow more arms as they continue to age, though some saguaros may never develop arms at all.
While saguaros are enormous plants, their root system is relatively shallow. They can spread up to 100 feet in diameter (about the size of the cactus itself), but their roots typically only extend 2-3 feet deep into the ground. This shallow root system allows them to absorb water quickly during the rare rainstorms in the desert. Interestingly, their roots are also highly sensitive, and they can expand quickly when they sense moisture in the soil.
One of the most remarkable features of the saguaro cactus is its ability to store water. A fully hydrated saguaro can store up to 200 gallons of water in its pleated, accordion-like body. These pleats allow the cactus to expand and contract based on the amount of water it holds. When rain is abundant, the saguaro swells, and during periods of drought, it shrinks as it uses the stored water for survival.
Saguaro cacti are crucial to the desert ecosystem, providing food, shelter, and nesting sites for a variety of desert animals. Birds like woodpeckers and flickers use the cactus to build their nests, and other animals such as bats, hawks, and doves make use of the saguaro as a roosting or nesting site. The cactus flowers, which bloom in the spring, provide nectar for pollinators like bats, bees, and moths, while the saguaro’s fruits serve as a food source for animals like javelinas, desert tortoises, and coyotes.
The saguaro cactus produces large, white flowers, but did you know that they bloom only at night? These flowers usually open in late spring (May and June) and stay open throughout the night, closing by midmorning. The flowers are highly fragrant and attract bats, which are key pollinators of the saguaro. The flowers also help produce fruit, which will ripen in the summer months.
The fruit of the saguaro cactus is not only edible, but it has been a staple food source for Native American tribes in the Sonoran Desert for centuries. The Hohokam, Tohono O’odham, and other tribes would gather the sweet, red fruits and process them into syrup, jams, and dried food. The harvesting of the saguaro fruit is a time-honored tradition, with special ceremonies marking the harvest season.
Due to their importance to the desert ecosystem and their slow growth, saguaro cacti are protected by law in Arizona. It is illegal to harm, transplant, or remove a saguaro cactus without a permit. In fact, it is illegal to damage a saguaro on private land in Arizona, and you can face hefty fines or even jail time if caught damaging one. This protection helps preserve the saguaro population for future generations to enjoy.
The Sonoran Desert, where saguaro cacti are commonly found, can experience temperature extremes ranging from 120°F (49°C) in the summer to freezing temperatures in the winter. Remarkably, the saguaro cactus can survive these extreme temperature changes. They are well adapted to withstand the heat during the day and the cold at night, thanks to their ability to store water and insulate themselves with thick, waxy skin.
As the saguaros grow and mature, they often develop hollow cavities in their trunks where birds and bats make their homes. The Gila woodpecker and flicker are common residents of these cavities, and they create nesting sites by drilling holes in the cactus. This process doesn’t harm the saguaro; in fact, it helps the cactus by allowing rainwater to seep into its cavity, giving it even more access to water during dry spells.
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