Bit Of History's Saguaro cactus

Scientific Name:

Cereus giganteus or Carnegiea gigantea

Height:

Plants are known to grow to a height of 50 feet.

Location:

Although the giant Saguaro is found in the extreme southeast of California, it is most commonly associated with Arizona.

General Information:

The Saguaro cactus is one of the most magnificent cactus plants to been seen in the southwest. In Arizona, where it is the state flower many excellent examples of this giant can be found. There is even a national monument known as Saguaro National Monument located just east of Tucson, Arizona but the cactus grows throughout the lower part of the state. The name is pronounced sah-wah'-ro and has been an important source of food for Indians of the southwest. The plants can live to be 200 years old. The plants provide food and shelter to a variety of birds and insects.

They can be found in most of the warmer, mid to lower sections of Arizona. Standing as a lone sentinel, they seem to be guarding against the encroachment of civilization.

Reference: Deserts, An Audubon Society Nature Guide and The Pocket Encyclopedia of Cacti in color by Lamb and Macmillan (pub. 1969)