ExplorePlants

saguaro

Carnegiea gigantea

The saguaro is a tall cactus that can grow very big and live for a long time! It has beautiful flowers that bloom in the spring and can be home to many animals.

Habitat: Desert

Appearance

The saguaro is a towering, green cactus with a thick, ribbed stem and often many upward-curving arms. Its waxy skin helps retain water, and in late spring, white, cup-shaped flowers bloom atop its arms, later turning into bright red, edible fruits.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCactaceaeGenusCarnegiea
saguaro
flowering trait badgeevergreen trait badgenight_blooming trait badgethorny_stem trait badge
saguaro

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

A fully grown saguaro can weigh over two tons, as much as a small car!

It doesn't start growing its iconic arms until it is around 75 years old!

Its ribbed skin allows it to swell with water and shrink like an accordion.

The saguaro cactus is protected by law in Arizona and cannot be harmed.

Special abilities

Ability

Water Hoarder

Saguaro can expand its ribbed stem to store huge amounts of rainwater, helping it survive long droughts in the desert.

Ability

Spiky Shield

Saguaro has sharp spines that protect its soft, watery interior from thirsty animals trying to take a bite.

Ability

Lunar Lures

Saguaro flowers open only at night, releasing a sweet scent to attract nectar-feeding bats and moths for pollination.

Measurements & details

Height
450-1500 cm
Spread
200-500 cm
Flower Size
8-12 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to early summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Bat

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Be careful not to touch the spines; they can be sharp!

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is saguaro?

450-1500 cm

How wide does saguaro spread?

200-500 cm

How big are the flowers on saguaro?

8-12 cm

When does saguaro bloom?

Late spring to early summer

Is saguaro edible?

Yes

Is saguaro toxic?

None

What is saguaro's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is saguaro pollinated?

Bat

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

More Plants