Synonyms
Cereus giganteus
Other common names
giant cactus
sahuaro
Plant type
Cacti
Scientific Family
Cactaceae
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Tall, green, columnar, tree-like cactus usually to 30 feet tall and 2-1/2 feet in diameter. Branches usually appear well up on the main trunk as the cactus ages but some never grow arms.
Large telephone pole-like stem with gracefully curved arms. Young saguaro can be distinguished from barrel cactus by straight central spines.
Height
To 60 feet
Habitat
Rocky slopes and well-drained flats.
Plant Community
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
600
High elevation
3600
Flowers
Flower color
White
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
June
Creamy white, funnel-shaped with yellow centers to 3 inches wide; appearing in clusters on the tips of arms or main trunk. Flowers open at night and remain open part of the following day.
Stems
Stem Color
Green
Stem Number
Single or Multiple
Stem Shape
Cylindrical
Segmented Stems
No
Stem Surface
Ribbed
Tall, columnar, treelike trunk with 12 to 30 prominent ribs. Ribs increase in number from the narrow base. Branches are to 20 inches in diameter and curve upward and appear well up on the main trunk.
Areoles
These are structures unique to cacti, found on the stems, areas from which spines, flowers and fruits emerge.
Spine color
Whitish-gray
Spines hooked
No
Glochids
No
Whitish-gray, sometimes tinged with pink. 15 to 30 per areole; to 3 inches long. The spines are located on the plant's vertical ribs.
Fruit
Fruit color
Red
Egg-shaped, fleshy fruit tinged to 3 inches long and 1-3/4 inches in diameter, filled with black seeds.