Did you know that, when given a suitable supply season, saguaros can absorb enough water to live through 10 years of drought? I bet the meter on this one is reading "full." The very fact that a cactus can live for 10 years without water in a place that just might go 10 years without water screams "design."
One of the most popular uses for saguaros is as a birdhouse, especially for gila woodpeckers. They will make a hole in a saguaro, wait a period of time for the cactus to "scab over" -- seal itself up inside -- and then turn it into the next cool, protected nest. Interestingly, they don't typically return next season, although others might use them. These hollowed-out, solidified cavities form what is called a "boot," which survives the cactus along with the skeleton and are quite popular among collectors. (They're actually under federal protection.)
Everyone knows that saguaros typically have two arms sticking out ... except that such saguaros are actually quite rare. I've only found one or two traveling the state. Saguaros don't grow arms until they're about 50 years old, and then they often grow quite a few all at once.
Saguaros in bloom are actually quite remarkable. First there are these "tufts" of white flowers that eventually turn into red fruits that the wildlife (like the two cactus wrens here) just can't get enough of.
There are some unusual saguaros, too. Some appear to be all arms and very little saguaro. Some appear to be asking, "Why?" (Get it? "Y?" Sorry ... bad joke.)
One of the most unsual is what I call the "brain" saguaro. Science hasn't figured out what causes it, but the crested saguaro grows this odd shape, sometimes along with arms and sometimes not.
Saguaros are found only in the Sonora Desert, which is found only in southern Arizona and California and northern Mexico. Arizona even has a Saguaro National Park which appears to be a forest of these amazing cacti in all manner of shapes and sizes. A full-grown saguaro is over 200 years old, but no one knows how old the oldest of these cacti is. What we do know is that they are the impressive workmanship of a benevolent and creative God.
6 comments:
Ahh, God and His creation! Very interesting information on these magnificent cacti. Are these your own photos?
Thanks for the great photos and explanations!
I enjoyed this look at saguaros, as I love both flora and fauna. You are fortunate to live near these interesting trees. (I have not visited that part of the country yet but hope to do so soon; of course, Saguaro National Park [both sections] is in my itinerary for that trip.)
I recently watched a nature documentary called “Cactus Hotel” (available through Curiosity Stream)--all about the life cycle of one particular saguaro tree and the variety of wildlife it hosted throughout its long life. The “Nature” series on PBS featured the saguaro in one episode as well--“Saguaro: Sentinel of the Desert,” whose blurb reads, “Undisturbed, the saguaro cactus can grow to 60 feet, weigh 10 tons, and live 150 years.” (Other sources I saw say 200+ years, as you mentioned.)
It is interesting that many cactus flowers bloom only at night and are therefore mostly missed by human viewers. (This reminds me of how the majority of orchids--among the most beautiful of the world’s flowers--grow wild in remote tropical rainforests, where they can be food for wildlife who are totally oblivious to their beauty.)
I think that a “coffee table book” featuring saguaro trees and their blooms would be lovely, especially paired with birds and other wildlife of the desert. As you say, all to the glory of our Creator!
One of the many amazingly detailed creations that defy chance creation.
All photos except that last one are mine.
My AZ friends almost seem to treat the saguaro in their yards like pets. It sounds strange, but that's the best description I can think of. They're cool plants and definitely one more example of design.
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