Scientific Name: Carnegiea gigantean
? Cactus native to the Sonoran Desert.
? The saguaro cactus blossom is the Arizona state flower.
? Pollinated by doves, bees, and bats.
? Produces a 3-inch long fruit in June or July that contains up to 2,000 seeds.
? Seed dispersal is accomplished by fruit-eating birds such as White-winged Doves, Gila Woodpeckers, and House Finches.
? Seedlings begin life under nurse plants that protect them from heat, frost, rodents and birds.
? Seedlings are eaten by birds and other small mammals.
? The Curve-billed Thrasher will dig up seedlings in search of insects.
? Mature saguaros are killed by lightning strikes, wind throw, freezing, and possibly flicker damage.
? The saguaro serves as a nesting site mainly to Cactus Wrens, Mourning Doves, Gila Woodpeckers and Gilded Flickers.
? Others birds that nest here are Elf Owls, House Finches, Ash-throated Flycatchers, Great Horned Owls, and Purple Martins.
? Red-tailed Hawks build nests between the arms and trunk of the cacti.
? They serve as a perch for birds.
? This is the largest cactus in the United States; it grows on average to 40 ft. and may reach a height of 78 ft.
? When fully hydrated they weight 80 pounds per foot.

Photo: Taken at Jewel Creek Cave Creek on September 29, 2007. For more photos, click on camera icon.



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