Sonoran Desert Cacti: A Guide to the Most Common Species
There are over 30 species of cacti that can be found in the Sonoran Desert, each with its own unique characteristics and adaptations. Some of the most recognizable cacti include the saguaro, barrel, and prickly pear cactus. The saguaro cactus, in particular, has become a symbol of the American Southwest and can reach heights of up to 50 feet tall.
Cactaceae (cactus family) - Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Two defining life forms of the Sonoran Desert’s vegetation are giant columnar cacti and legume trees. Both are characteristic of arid tropical habitats (the cacti only in the “New World”) and their presence in the Sonoran Desert reflects its affinity to the tropics.
Saguaro - Wikipedia
The saguaro (/ səˈ (ɡ) wɑːroʊ / sə-(G)WAR-oh, [5] Spanish: [saˈɣwaɾo]; Carnegiea gigantea) is a tree-like cactus species in the monotypic genus Carnegiea that can grow to be over 12 meters (40 feet) tall. It is native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, the Mexican state of Sonora, and the Whipple Mountains and Imperial County areas of California.
Types of Desert Cacti (With Pictures) – Identification Guide
2023年10月16日 · The native range of the organ pipe cactus is mostly in the Sonoran Desert, southern Arizona, and Sinaloa and Baja California. The slow-growing cactus thrives in desert landscapes and withstands drought and rocky, infertile soils.
Sonoran Desert Fact Sheet - Saguaro Cactus - Arizona-Sonora Desert …
The saguaro is an icon of the Sonoran Desert region! This impressive plant is the largest cactus in the United States, growing 10 to 40 feet or even 50 feet tall. (Picture a three-story building!) Though they’re about 30 inches across, their root systems can extend as far as 100 feet (or as wide as three school buses parked in a line).
Cactus in Sonoran Desert: A Guide to the Iconic Plants of the …
The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is one of the most iconic plants in the Sonoran Desert, located in the American Southwest. This towering cactus plays a crucial role in the desert ecosystem, providing shelter and food for a diverse array of flora and fauna.
Cacti and Desert Succulents - U.S. National Park Service
2024年3月22日 · Not only does the Sonoran Desert offer an amazing variety of cactus species, it also exhibits some of the most fascinating adaptations in the plant world. Adaptations are what enable the cactus plants to thrive under harsh conditions of desert: extreme heat, nearly constant sun, and scarity of water throughout most of the year.
The iconic giant saguaro cactus in the Sonoran Desert
2023年7月28日 · The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is a long‐lived columnar cactus of the Sonoran Desert that experiences episodic recruitment and mortality. Previous studies have attributed long‐term changes in saguaro populations to climatic factors, including increased ge
Saguaro Cactus: Sentinel of the Southwest - U.S. National Park Service
2016年10月3日 · The saguaro cactus grows only in the Sonoran Desert of the U.S. and Mexico. Its range is limited by freezing temperatures and altitude. The body and armlike branches of the saguaro are pleated and ridged, with hard spines and bristles.
Saguaro Cacti at Saguaro National Park
2023年9月22日 · As most Sonoran Desert plants are stunted and hug the ground, the Saguaro is the tallest and therefore the most prominent plant in its environment. Its height has led to its nickname, the king of the cactus family.