The saguaro cactus, seen here in Saguaro National Park and all across southern Arizona, is the supreme symbol of Sonoran Desert. As in the foreground of this photo, a typical desert locale hosts 50 different types of cacti. Appearing in background, the Tucson Mountains.
The saguaro has been protected since 1933. It is the largest and slowest growing of all desert cacti, sometimes reaching 45 feet high and living for as long as 200 years. A mature plant can weigh up to 8 tons, largely made up of hundreds of gallons water. The slow growing saguaro may only grow 6 inches in length after 10 years, and its arms don't appear for another 70 years. In the spring, the saguaro produce white flowers on the upper stems of mature plants. Later, sweet edible red fruit appear. Native Tohono O'Odhams used these to make jam, syrup and also wine. So important was the fruit, that season of harvest marked the new year.