The saguaro cactus is one of the most iconic plants of the American Southwest, standing tall in the Sonoran Desert. This giant cactus can grow up to 40 feet tall and develop multiple arms that help it store water. Its thick, green, ribbed body is covered in spines, which protect it from thirsty animals looking for moisture.

The saguaro grows very slowly, often taking 10 years to reach just one inch in height. By the time it is 50 years old, it may stand 10 feet tall. The plant relies on summer monsoon rains and deep roots to absorb as much water as possible. When fully hydrated, a mature saguaro can weigh as much as a small car!

Each spring, the saguaro produces white, night-blooming flowers that attract pollinators like bats, bees, and birds. Its bright red fruit matures in summer and provides food for desert animals like doves and coyotes. Indigenous peoples of the Sonoran Desert, such as the Tohono O’odham Nation, have long harvested saguaro fruit for food and ceremonies.

Though not endangered, the saguaro is protected by law in Arizona, where cutting or harming one is illegal. Climate change and habitat destruction pose future threats, but these towering desert giants continue to thrive in their unique environment.