CRISTATE SAGUARO--This abnormal growth, called a cristate, is of rare
occurrence. Many theories have been advanced as to what causes these
"crests" but none hold true in all cases. Although the cause is unknown,
the pattern of their growth is simple. Instead of growing in three
directions the cells of a cristate grow only upward and outward in two.
This results in a fan-shaped malformation with a long growing line in
the center of the upper edge. Although a cristate may apparently develop
from an injury, there is every reason to believe that, once established,
the tendency to cristate becomes a genetic character. Seed from
cristates often produce cristate plants. An excellent specimen of
cristate Barrel Cactus may be seen at the entrance to the Nature Trail.