You may discover a strange looking cacti, a cristate Saguaro, or crested Saguaro while on your hike in southwest USA. It is still unknown whether the crested formation on the cacti is a result of a lightning strike, freeze damage or a genetic mutation.
Amazingly the crested formation can be found in other cacti, such as a barrel cactus. I will have to keep my eyes open for them! You’ll notice in my photo of the crested (cristate) Saguaro, arms did grow on it and there will be flowers in time. Have you seen a cristate?
Often cacti are photographed or sketched with their arms pointing upward, but in reality one can find cacti with arms drooping. On a recent hike, there were a few cacti with drooping arms and we got talking and asking the question, what had caused this?
Some drooping, others not…
My research seems to indicate two possible causes: a freeze and/or dehydration of the plant. When our temperature drops into a freeze zone, the point where the arm meets the cacti trunk is vulnerable. As a result it is weakened and the arm will droop as it continues to grow. Another possible cause is lack of water. It is very obvious when a cactus has enough water as it looks a bit plump and when with not enough water, shriveled. So now you know why one cactus will have arms upward and another may not!
There is a huge age difference in these cacti too!
The saguaro cactus only grows in the Sonoran Desert, from sea level to 4000 feet, so mostly in southern Arizona. They can grow in a tree-like shape, almost 40 feet on rocky soil. They are the largest cacti in the USA. Often I’ll see a bird making a nest in the fleshy stem of a cactus.
Saguaro cacti
You may have seen the white flowers of the saguaro cactus, that then become a fruit. Recently, I happened to be home, I noticed the fruits were ripening. They are a source of food and water for birds. First, here’s a photo of the fruits on the tree; second photo, one opened and eaten by a bird.
Fruits are open.
Fruit fell on ground. Looks only partially eaten.
Arizona Native Plant Law has 4 categories of protected plants. One category is “Highly Safeguarded” species. Saguaro cacti fall within this category as they are threatened for survival or in danger of extinction. Destruction or theft of a saguaro is illegal under state law. It can result in fines and a class 4 felony. I researched how much is the fine: minimum of $200 per foot of main trunk and $200 per foot of each arm. All with a maximum not to exceed $2500 per cactus. If you need to move a saguaro cactus, then a permit is required.
Saguaro cacti can live up to 200 years and grow to more than 60 feet. They can have arms bending upward that can number over 25. Keep an eye out for this cactus as you visit southern Arizona. See their protective spines, white flowers in late spring and red fruit in summer. Enjoy …
I thought I was taking a long hike today, but the creek was swollen with water so I could not get across it! Well I did not feel like having wet feet, nor were there any rocks I could walk across the creek. Next plan: while I was happy to see the water, I spent time looking around the area at things I usually walk quickly past. It also allowed me to take time with my camera. Another good day; hope you had a good one too. Being outdoors and in sunlight relaxes the body and mind. Be sure to give it a try!
