Sonoran Desert
- The most interesting region in the world -
Adaptations
The Saguaro has many adaptations that all allow it to live in harsh and hot parts of the Sonoran desert. The Saguaro has waxy skin, its flowers open on cooler nights, can store massive amounts of water in its expanding ribs, it had has both tap and radial roots, the radial roots grow equal to the height of the Saguaro, and seals injuries with callous scar tissue so water does not escape. All of those adaptations allow the cactus to escape the water sucking heat and help prepare the cactus for droughts. Then there are the Saguaros spines and they are an integral part of the Saguaro’s life. They not only defend it from predators but also help direct rainwater into the depressions of the cactus, shade the cactus, and help redirect the wind and insulate the plant.
Uses
From humans to animals the Saguaro has a number of uses. Archaeological evidence shows that in the past, some Native Americans used the cactus's ribs for building supplies and collecting Saguaro fruit. Today, the Saguaro’s fruits are used to make wine, jelly, candies, and the high in protein seeds of the fruit are used as chicken feed. When it comes to animals, other than its fruit being a nutritious food source, the Saguaro is home to native birds such as Gila woodpeckers, purple martins, house finches, and gilded flickers. Animals like the flickers and woodpeckers are responsible for many of the hollowed out holes made in the Saguaro. Once these holes are abandoned they are used by even more animals.
Senita Cactus
Description
The Saguaro is a large cactus that can grow up to 70ft tall with its main stem having a width of 18 to 24 inches. It has a green waxy skin covered in spines about two inches long. Also, when in season, the Saguaro bears white flowers with yellow centers that are measured around 3 inches thats are located at the top of its branches. Then its fruits, when matured, are a ruby red color.
Life Cycle
Requiring cross pollination and massive amounts of pollen, the Saguaro's night blooming white and yellow flowers are the start of it all. They bloom April through June and the seed carrying Saguaro fruits are matured by late June. Out of about the 40 million seeds a Saguaro produces in its lifetime only one of those seeds will likely develop into a plant that outlives the parent. After facing the struggle of the Sonoran desert, the seed will start to grow. After about 10 years a Saguaro will be around two inches tall. Then around 50-80 years of age the Saguaro will have a length of around 10ft and may start growing its arms. The tallest and oldest Saguaros can get higher than 50ft and be older than 150 years.
Region
The Saguaro is only located in Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona, southeastern California and northwestern Mexico.