Saguaro (sa-waro) Cactus
The Saguaro Cactus has a smooth and waxy skin and is covered with two-inch spines that are located on the tree's vertical ribs. In May and June, the Cactus bears creamy white flowers with yellow centers that measured about three inches. The Saguaro Cactus flower can be found on the end of the branches. The flower only opens on cooler nights and is closed during the heat of midday. The stem of the cactus can be 18 to 24 inches in diameter, The Cactus and its branches grow upright as do all cacti in the southwestern U.S. When it rains the Saguaro Cactus soaks up water and holds it in its ribs. (These ribs are often taken out of the old dead Saguaros and used for walking sticks. We each have one which were given to us when we walked in the desert last spring) Since it does not rain a lot in the desert, the cactus uses the water that it stores when it doesn't rain. The Saguaro Cactus is Arizona's state flower. The average lifespan for a Saguaro cactus is about 200 years. The Saguaro grows very slowly -- perhaps an inch a year -- but to a great height, 15 to 50 feet. The largest plants, with more than 5 arms, are estimated to be 200 years old. An average old Saguaro would have 5 arms and be about 30 feet tall. The 3-inch, oval, green fruit ripens just before the fall rainy season, splitting open to reveal the bright-red, pulpy flesh which all desert creatures seem to relish. This fruit was an especially important food source to Native Americans of the region who used the flesh, seeds and juice. Seeds from the Saguaro fruit are prolific -- as many as 4,000 to a single fruit -- probably the largest number per flower of any desert cactus. The Indians still make many different food items with this fruit. Gila woodpeckers like the interior of the Saguaro Cactus because it is the only plant it can hollow out for their nest in the desert. The woodpecker will drill 2 to 3 holes before it decides to live in one. It will peck right into the soft tissue that is used to store water. The cactus will fix the damage by sealing up the inside with "callous scar tissue" and that stops water loss.