The Saguaro:
The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is one of the defining plants of the Sonoran Desert. These plants are giant, tree-like columnar cacti that develop branches as they age; these branches generally bend upward—although some plants may never grow limbs. Saguaros are covered with protective spines and bloom white flowers in the late spring, and red fruit in summer. With the right growing conditions, it is estimated that saguaros can live to be as much as 150-200 years old. Saguaros grow slowly; a young cactus may only grow 1 to 1.5 inches in its first eight years, while an adult saguaro can reach 60 feet in height. The amount of available water impacts their growth. These magnificent specimens were captured in the Sonoran Desert National Monument, outside Gila Bend, Arizona.
