The Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is one of the defining plants of the Sonoran Desert. These plants are large, tree-like columnar cacti that develop branches (or arms) as they age, although some never grow arms. These arms generally bend upward and can number over 25. Saguaros are covered with protective spines, white flowers in the late spring, and red fruit in summer. Saguaros are found exclusively in the Sonoran Desert. The most important factors for growth are water and temperature. If the elevation is too high, the cold weather and frost can kill the saguaro. With the right growing conditions, a saguaro can live to be 150 to 200+ years old. The saguaro blossom is the state wildflower of Arizona. Its scientific name is given in honor of Andrew Carnegie.

Arms are developed to increase the plant's reproductive capacity. Think about that the next time you see a big swinging cactus with many arms. Contrary to popular legend, there is no law mandating prison sentences of 25 years for cutting a cactus down; however, it is considered a class four felony.

Images are from an EOS 5DIII and various Canon EF lenses. They're sized to fill your wide-screen display. Try using <F11> to maximize your browser window for the full effect. If the images overshoot your display, such as a laptop, just click on the image or the URL link and they'll resize to your screen from the host Flickr site. You can click a bit further into the image details on the Flickr page, if desired. EXIF data is available from host Flickr page as well. On the Flickr site, use your L-key for Large and the <F11> for the full-screen. I'm also trying something new for side-by-side vertical display.

The Organpipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi) is a species of cactus native to Mexico and the United States. The cactus grows slowing and reaches maturity at about 150-years. They usually grow during April, May, and June. Their flowers are pollinated by bats producing a fruit about the size of a tennis ball. Beneath the fruit's spiny exterior is red flesh that has been described as tasting better than watermelon.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is the only place in the United States to see large stands of organ pipe cacti, though their range extends far south into Mexico. The monument encompasses the bulk of its U.S. population. Organ pipe cactus originated in the warm, dry tropics. When the global climate warmed at the end of the last Ice Age, the cactus slowly began migrating further north. It arrived in the Sonoran Desert only about 3500 years ago. The plant is a warmth loving species that can be found on south facing rocky slopes in the monument. This location is critical during the winter months, when severe frosts can kill the entire cactus.

The Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is one of the defining plants of the Sonoran Desert. These plants are large, tree-like columnar cacti that develop branches (or arms) as they age, although some never grow arms. These arms generally bend upward and can number over 25. Saguaros are covered with protective spines, white flowers in the late spring, and red fruit in summer. Saguaros are found exclusively in the Sonoran Desert. The most important factors for growth are water and temperature. If the elevation is too high, the cold weather and frost can kill the saguaro. With the right growing conditions, a saguaro can live to be 150 to 200+ years old. The saguaro blossom is the state wildflower of Arizona. Its scientific name is given in honor of Andrew Carnegie.

Arms are developed to increase the plant's reproductive capacity. Think about that the next time you see a big swinging cactus with many arms. Contrary to popular legend, there is no law mandating prison sentences of 25 years for cutting a cactus down; however, it is considered a class four felony.

Images are from an EOS 5DIII and various Canon EF lenses. They're sized to fill your wide-screen display. Try using <F11> to maximize your browser window for the full effect. If the images overshoot your display, such as a laptop, just click on the image or the URL link and they'll resize to your screen from the host Flickr site. You can click a bit further into the image details on the Flickr page, if desired. EXIF data is available from host Flickr page as well. On the Flickr site, use your L-key for Large and the <F11> for the full-screen. I'm also trying something new for side-by-side vertical display.

Tucson Mountain Park by Paul Sager, on Flickr
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4604/39004755035_36c2dea698_h.jpg

Tucson Mountain Park -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Arizona Backroads
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4613/39193038974_a21c1e6749_c.jpghttp://farm5.staticflickr.com/4649/39903674421_d76de422d4_c.jpg

Organ Pipe National Monument -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Arizona Backroads
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4713/39903473971_8a19b7a482_c.jpghttp://farm5.staticflickr.com/4655/39870768332_7cbf5e84ab_c.jpg

The Organpipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi) is a species of cactus native to Mexico and the United States. The cactus grows slowing and reaches maturity at about 150-years. They usually grow during April, May, and June. Their flowers are pollinated by bats producing a fruit about the size of a tennis ball. Beneath the fruit's spiny exterior is red flesh that has been described as tasting better than watermelon.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is the only place in the United States to see large stands of organ pipe cacti, though their range extends far south into Mexico. The monument encompasses the bulk of its U.S. population. Organ pipe cactus originated in the warm, dry tropics. When the global climate warmed at the end of the last Ice Age, the cactus slowly began migrating further north. It arrived in the Sonoran Desert only about 3500 years ago. The plant is a warmth loving species that can be found on south facing rocky slopes in the monument. This location is critical during the winter months, when severe frosts can kill the entire cactus.

Organ Pipe National Monument
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4667/39004479745_9b46eff679_h.jpg

Organ Pipe National Monument
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4707/26030429878_95e1bec4ea_h.jpg

Organ Pipe National Monument
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4672/28123073899_3aa9053978_h.jpg