The Saguaro is the iconic symbol of the Sonoran Desert and the largest cactus in the United States, sometimes reaching 50 feet tall and weighing over 6 tons, most of which is stored water. A saguaro may not produce its first arm until it is 75 years old. The large, waxy white flowers open at night and must be pollinated by lesser long-nosed bats before closing the following afternoon. The Saguaro provides nest cavities used by elf owls, Gila woodpeckers, and over a dozen other bird species.
Best time to see a Saguaro Cactus
The best time to see a Saguaro Cactus is January–May, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 54,257 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Saguaro Cactus? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Saguaro Cactus sightings near you
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