Carnegiea gigantea
Saguaro captures the imagination of many and does not disappoint when viewed in person. Its statuesque form with multiple arms gives its unique appearance and is Arizona’s state flower. It is the largest cactus in the U.S. commonly reaching 40 feet tall. It can store vast amount of water and a fully mature saguaro can weigh between 3,200 to 4,800 pounds. The white flowers appear in May with red fruit forming after pollination. Primary pollinators include nectar-feeding bats, birds and bees. The fruit sand seeds are edible and eaten by many desert animals.
