Fun Fact Friday: The Saguaro Cactus

Fun Fact Friday: The Saguaro Cactus

The saguaro cactus, a quintessential symbol of the American Southwest, is a remarkable plant with several fascinating features. It's the largest cactus in the U.S., can live for over 150 years, and boasts an impressive ability to store water. 

In Arizona, it is illegal to cut down, damage, or move a Saguaro cactus in Arizona without a permit. This is due to the Arizona Native Plant Law, which protects these plants and emphasizes that they should not be harvested or harmed in their natural habitat. 

Here are some more fun facts:

● Giant Size: Saguaro cacti can grow to be 40 feet tall and weigh up to 6 tons when full of water. 

● Slow Growth: They grow very slowly, with studies in Saguaro National Park showing that a saguaro only grows a few inches in its first ten years. 

● Water Storage: They have accordion-like ribs that expand to store water during rainfall, allowing them to survive long periods of drought. 

● Pollination: Saguaro flowers are pollinated by bats at night and by bees and birds during the day. 

● Arms: Some saguaros develop arms, which are extensions that can grow to be about 25 feet long, according to the Desert Museum. 

● Roots: Their root systems can spread out horizontally, sometimes reaching 100 feet, as wide as three school buses. 

● Fruit: The fruit, which ripens in the summer, is bright red and contains many seeds, providing a food source for desert animals. 

● Scientific Name: They are known as Carnegiea gigantea, named in honor of industrialist Andrew Carnegie. 

● Symbolism: Saguaros are a symbol of the Southwest and are found in the Sonoran Desert, particularly around Tucson, Arizona. 

● Keystone Species: They are considered a keystone species, meaning they play a crucial role in the desert ecosystem by providing food and shelter for many animals

I hope you enjoyed our Fun Fact Friday series.

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