Tall Saguaro Cactus
by Robert Bales
Title
Tall Saguaro Cactus
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
Looking up this giant Saguaro cactus seems like it goes on forever. this one was over 30 feet tall.
The saguaro (/səˈw��roʊ/; scientific name Carnegiea gigantea) is an arborescent (tree-like) cactus species in the monotypic genus Carnegiea, which can grow to be over 20 meters (~70 ft) tall. It is native to the Sonoran Desert in the U.S. state of Arizona, the Mexican state of Sonora, and the Whipple Mountains and Imperial County areas of California. The saguaro blossom is the State Wildflower of Arizona.
The magnificent Saguaro Cactus, the state flower of Arizona, is composed of a tall, thick, fluted, columnar stem, 18 to 24 inches in diameter, often with several large branches (arms) curving upward in the most distinctive conformation of all Southwestern cacti.
The skin is smooth and waxy, the trunk and stems have stout, 2-inch spines clustered on their ribs. When water is absorbed , the outer pulp of the Saguaro can expand like an accordion, increasing the diameter of the stem and, in this way, can increase its weight by up to a ton.
Saguaros have a relatively long life span. They may grow their first side arm anywhere from 50 to 75 years of age, but some never grow one at all. A saguaro without arms is called a spear.
The arms are grown to increase the plant's reproductive capacity (more apices lead to more flowers and fruit). The growth rate of saguaros is strongly dependent on precipitation; saguaros in drier western Arizona grow only half as fast as those in and around Tucson, Arizona. Some specimens may live for more than 150 years; the largest known saguaro is the Champion Saguaro. It grows in Maricopa County, Arizona, and is 13.8 meters (45.3 ft) tall with a girth of 3.1 meters (10 ft). These cacti can grow anywhere from 40 to 60 feet. They grow slowly from seed, and never from cuttings. Whenever it rains, saguaros soak up the rainwater. The cactus will visibly expand, holding in the rainwater. It conserves the water and slowly consumes it.
Uploaded
December 2nd, 2013
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Viewed 1,263 Times - Last Visitor from Cambridge, MA on 04/18/2024 at 1:35 AM
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Comments (11)
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 views Groups Special Features Nominations For Promotion #22 . Please help your fellow artists by visiting and passing on the love to another artist in the the 1000 Views Group....L/F/Tw
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks, Christopher for the wonderful information, and the discussion along with the LFTw!!
RONALD MILLS
Love the perspective on this piece!! Nominating for special feature on the 1000 view group
Christopher James
Congratulation.....your wonderful work has been featured in the 1000 Views on 1 Image Group ..... Feel free to place your featured image in the Features Archive and any Genre specific Archive l/f/p
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks, Christopher for the nice feature, congrats, comment, invite, and the promotion!!
Linda Phelps
L Wonderful perspective on this large saguaro! Very nice sharp detail. Love the green against the bright blue sky.