Largest of the cactuses in the United States, the saguaro (suh-WAR-oh)
is limited in its principal range to southern Arizona and northern
Mexico. Although rarely exceeding 30 feet in height, specimens 50 feet
tall and weighing up to 10 tons, are on record. Blossoms form as huge
bud clusters at the branch tips, opening a few at a time each night,
usually in May, and remain open until mid-afternoon of the following
day. Fruits of the saguaro are eaten by birds and other animals, and at
one time were important in the diet of desert Indians. The state flower
of Arizona and the subject of a US. postage stamp issued in February
1962 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Arizona’s statehood, the
saguaro is also commemorated and protected in the National Monument of
that name near Tucson.
_Carnegiea gigantea_ Cactus Family
[Illustration: SAGUARO]