Species Detail Cacti

Plant - spring Bloody Basin Rd - Sue Smith		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Carnegiea gigantea - saguaro Synonyms: Cereus giganteus Other Common Names: giant cactus, sahuaro Plant Form: Cacti Family: Cactaceae
Plant - spring Bloody Basin Rd - Sue Smith


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Plant - spring Bloody Basin Rd Sue Smith	Plant - spring Bloody Basin Rd Sue Smith	Flowers Bloody Basin Rd Sue Smith	Flowers Bloody Basin Rd Sue Smith

Plant Description

Origin: Native
General Desc: Tall, green, columnar, tree-like cactus usually to 30 feet tall and 2-1/2 feet in diameter. Branches usually appear well up on the main trunk as the cactus ages but some never grow arms.
Identification notes: Large telephone pole-like stem with gracefully curved arms. Young saguaro can be distinguished from barrel cactus by straight central spines.
Height: To 60 feet Width:

Habitat

Habitat Description: Rocky slopes and well-drained flats.
Plant Communities: Desert Scrub
Elevation: 600 - 3600 feet

Flowers

Color: White Flowering Period: May - Jun
Description: Creamy white, funnel-shaped with yellow centers to 3 inches wide; appearing in clusters on the tips of arms or main trunk. Flowers open at night and remain open part of the following day.

Stems

Stem Color: Green Number of Stems: Single or Multiple Stem Shape: Cylindrical Stems Segmented: N Stem Surface: Ribbed
Stem Description: Tall, columnar, treelike trunk with 12 to 30 prominent ribs. Ribs increase in number from the narrow base. Branches are to 20 inches in diameter and curve upward and appear well up on the main trunk.

Areoles (structures unique to cacti, found on the stems, areas from which spines, flowers and fruits emerge)

Areole Description: Mostly circular, 1/4 inch in diameter, spaced about 1 inch apart on ribs.
Spine Color: Whitish-gray Spines Hooked: N
Spine Description: Whitish-gray, sometimes tinged with pink. 15 to 30 per areole; to 3 inches long. The spines are located on the plant's vertical ribs.

Fruit

Fruit Color: Red
Fruit Notes: Egg-shaped, fleshy fruit tinged to 3 inches long and 1-3/4 inches in diameter, filled with black seeds.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailCactus.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer