what kind of cactus are in the sonoran desert

Do cacti grow in the Sonoran Desert?

Below, are six of the more common cacti that grow in the Sonoran Desert. (#1) The saguaro (suh-WAHR-oh) cactus is one of the tallest cactuses (or cacti) in the world. These majestic plants can grow taller than a two-story building, and live to be well over a hundred years of age.

What succulents grow in the Sonoran Desert?

Succulents are ubiquitous in the Sonoran Desert, with agave (Agave spp.), yucca (Yucca spp.), barrel cactus (Ferocactus and Echinocactus spp.), hedgehog cactus (Mammillaria spp.), and pricklypear (Opuntia spp.) and cholla (Cylindropuntia spp.) common.

What is the vegetation of the Sonoran Desert?

The vegetation of the Sonoran is the most diverse of all the North American deserts. In addition to the saguaro cactus, the signature plant of the desert, common types include the barrel cactus, organ-pipe cactus, prickly pear, cholla, ocotillo, yucca, century plant, ironwood, palo verde, elephant tree, mesquite,...

What kind of cactus grows in clumps?

This clumping cactus, known from extremely hot regions of the Sonoran desert in both Mexico and Arizona, grows both outward and upward, forming dense, impenetrable thickets. It features cool-toned yellow flowers. The Dog Cholla, known from the Chihuahuan desert of Texas, forms mats of grayish-green clumps.

Which type of cactus is only found in the Sonoran Desert?

the saguaro cactusWhile the saguaro cactus has become a symbol of the American West, the saguaro cactus will only grow in the Sonoran desert. As a desert indicator species, the range of the saguaro cactus is limited to southern Arizona.

How many types of cactus are in the Sonoran Desert?

300 speciesAbout 300 species occur in the Sonoran Desert region.

What is the largest species of cactus in the Sonoran Desert?

The saguaroQuick Facts. The saguaro is the largest cactus in the United States. Most of the saguaros roots are only 4-6 inches deep and radiate out as far from the plant as it is tall. There is one deep root, or tap root that extends down into the ground more than 2 feet.

What is the most common type of cactus in Arizona?

The most common cacti species at Saguaro National Park and within Tucson, Arizona include:Saguaro Flowers. NPS Photo. ... Barrel cactus. ... Staghorn cholla cactus. ... Hedgehog cactus in full bloom Pinkflower hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus fendleri var. ... Prickly pear flowers. ... Teddybear cholla and its flower. ... Chainfruit cholla flower.

Is it illegal to remove a cactus in Arizona?

However, most of these plants are protected by law . Also, all land in the State of Arizona belongs to someone, whether it be a government agency or a private citizen. Plants cannot be removed from any lands without permission of the owner and a permit from the Department of Agriculture.

Can you eat saguaro cactus?

There is no mistaking the look of the Sonoran Desert's signature saguaro cactus. Once a year, these tall cacti produce ruby-colored fruit which usually ripens by late June. The fruit is full of pulp and seeds and tastes faintly like strawberry. It can be eaten raw or made into jam, wine and syrup.

Is it illegal to cut down a saguaro cactus?

On federal land such as Saguaro National Park, it's illegal to remove any plant, including saguaros, according to the National Park Service. As for state, tribal or private land, removal or destruction of saguaros in Arizona is illegal without the landowner's permission and a permit.

What state has the most cactus?

Texas leads the way in terms of number of different cactus species, with nearly 100, the majority close to the Mexican border along the Rio Grande, especially in the Big Bend region, in Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Can you drink water from a saguaro cactus?

Water is truly a precious resource in a desert, so, in addition to their intimidating spines, most cactus species further protect their spongy flesh with acids and potent alkaloids. These chemicals are usually too acrid for most humans to tolerate and are taxing on the kidneys if ingested.

What kind of cactus is in Phoenix?

saguaro cactusThis desert flora is one of the most iconic symbols of the American Southwest, and it's important to experience one up close. Luckily, you can find saguaro cactus just about anywhere you go in Phoenix, whether you're in the city or out on a hike.

Can you eat prickly pear cactus?

The fruits are edible and can be eaten raw after removing the skin. Jellies, candies and other sweets are often made from the fruit, while some people also snack on the fleshy pads of the plant. Prickly pear cactus has been a Mexican and Central American dietary staple for thousands of years.

How do I know what kind of cactus I have?

Cactus identification is usually based on their shape, blooming habits, and spines or hairs. Cacti can have a spherical, columnar, cylindrical, or disc shape and typically have characteristic areoles (small bumps) where sharp or soft spines grow.

How many types of cacti are there in Arizona?

There are six states where cacti are abundant, namely (with the approximate number of US species): Arizona (83), California (35), New Mexico (56), Nevada (26), Utah (34) and Texas (91).

How many cactus types are there?

Prickly pearSaguaroSchlumber...San Pedro cactusBarbary figGolden barrel cactusCactus/Lower classifications

How many cactus species are there?

2,000 speciescactus, (family Cactaceae), plural cacti or cactuses, flowering plant family (order Caryophyllales) with nearly 2,000 species and 139 genera.

What type of cactus are found in Arizona?

Identifying common Arizona cacti: Prickly Pear, Saguaro, Jumping Cholla and more. Cacti (plural for cactus) are one of the unique features of the beautiful Arizona landscape. This article describes a few of the most common cacti found in Arizona: prickly pear, saguaro, golden hedgehog, barrel and jumping cholla.

What is a desert cactus?

Desert Cacti. A cactus is a succulent plant, which means it holds a lot of moisture inside it. Instead of leaves, most are covered with very sharp spines. The spines help protect the cacti from hungry animals. Spines also provide a little shade for the plants, since many grow in sunny places, such as deserts.

How tall do barrel cactus get?

Barrel cacti usually grow 2-4 feet (61-122 cm) tall. But some can grow 6-10 feet (2-3 m) tall. The barrel in the right photo is over 8 feet (2.4 m) tall! That's one BIG barrel. You can tell it apart from the saguaro cactus by its flowers and spines. The saguaro grows white flowers near the tops of their trunks and arms. The spines on the saguaro are straight. The barrel cactus grows orange-red or yellow flowers at the very top of the plant. Can you see the orange flowers at the top of this huge barrel? Many of its spines are shaped like a hook. That's how some kinds got the name "Fishhook Barrel."

How old are saguaro plants?

Did you know that a saguaro grows so slowly that a plant which is only two inches (5 cm) tall may be as old as ten years. A young 12 inch (30 cm) tall saguaro, such as the one in the lower left photo, may be as old as 25 years. In order to grow, saguaros need the shelter of other plants, such as shrubs and trees. These plants are called nurse plants. The trees' lower thorny branches protect the young cacti from hungry plant-eating animals. The branches also shelter the growing cacti from harsh sunlight and colder temperatures. The cactus in the photo below has been sheltered for many years underneath the branches of an old paloverde tree.

Why do cactus have spines?

Spines also provide a little shade for the plants, since many grow in sunny places, such as deserts. The roots of cacti are close to the soil's surface. This helps the plants to better absorb water from seasonal rainfalls. The surface or skin of a cactus is often waxy.

How old are pincushion cactus?

50-100 years old. (# 6) And last, but not least--is the little pincushion cactus. Most of these small cacti grow as very short rounded stems that are around six inches (15 cm) tall. Some say the cactus looks like a little egg, covered in a spiny wool jacket. The "wool" is actually a mass of tiny thin stickers.

What is the tallest cactus in the world?

A Child's Cactus Garden of Verses. (#1) The saguaro (suh-WAHR-oh) cactus is one of the tallest cactuses (or cacti) in the world. These majestic plants can grow taller than a two-story building, and live to be well over a hundred years of age.

Why do cactus have waxy skin?

The surface or skin of a cactus is often waxy. This layer of wax keeps the plants from loosing their stored water through evaporation. Cacti need to use that water during the dry seasons. These prickly plants grow in many shapes and sizes. Below, are six of the more common cacti that grow in the Sonoran Desert.

Where are cactus found in California?

Disjunct populations occur on the midriff islands and coastal Sonora opposite Tiburón Island.

Where do cactus live?

The cactus family is nearly endemic to the New World from southern Canada to southern South America . There is an exception — one of the 1800 species occurs naturally in Africa, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. However, introduced cacti have gone wild and sometimes become pests in several regions of the Old World.

How long do saguaro cactus survive?

However, the success rate of transplanting large saguaros is disappointing and the practice should be discouraged. The five-year survival rate of saguaros over 15 feet (4.6 m) tall is less than 10 percent, despite the best care the Desert Museum can provide. The 5-year criterion is necessary because a mortally damaged saguaro can take several years to die. (The plants occasionally survive for a decade or more in an emaciated state, continuing to flower yearly. A transplant is not counted successful unless the cactus regains its former girth and resumes normal growth.) Observations of large landscaping and salvage jobs throughout southern Arizona indicate that similarly low success rates are the norm.

What are the two main life forms in the Sonoran Desert?

Two defining life forms of the Sonoran Desert’s vegetation are giant columnar cacti and legume trees. Both are characteristic of arid tropical habitats (the cacti only in the “New World”) and their presence in the Sonoran Desert reflects its affinity to the tropics. Arizona Upland (a sub-divison of the Sonoran Desert) experiences frequent frosts, and only one columnar cactus (the saguaro) is sufficiently cold-hardy to be widespread in this subdivision. The Lower Colorado River Valley subdivision is too dry for columnar cacti and they are almost absent there. Several species of giant columnar cacti occur in each of the other four subdivisions.

How long does it take for a saguaro to bloom?

Saguaros begin to flower at about 8 feet tall (2.4 m), which takes an average of 55 years. Compare this with 40 years to first flowering in the wetter eastern unit of Saguaro National Park (16 inches, 406 mm, average annual rainfall) and 75 years in the drier Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (9 inches, 230 mm).

How tall are organpipe cactus?

The stems also are thinner, and have solid woody cores. Plants are usually 9 to 11 feet (2.7-3.4 m) in height, but occasionally exceed 20 feet (6.1 m). The pinkish-white flowers, produced from April through August, open after dark and close shortly after sunrise. The spines on the fruit loosen and fall at ripeness. The juicy, sweet, red pulp contains many tiny seeds.

What is the vector of saguaros?

One vector (an agent of transmission) is the blue cactus borer, the larva of the moth Cactobrosis fernaldialis. The maggot-like caterpillar burrows into the flesh of saguaros and other cacti, feeding on the bacterial rot it introduces. Living saguaros typically have many round, ¼-inch (1.3 cm) scabs on their surfaces.

What is a cactus that blooms after sunset?

This cactus from Arizona, New Mexico and Texas as well as northern Mexican states, is known for its short-lived flowers which bloom after sunset. These blooms have a vanilla-like smell, and and an elegant white and green-yellow palette.

What is the name of the cactus that grows red berries?

Pencil Cactus. Sometimes referred to as the Christmas Cactus, this unique cholla of the Southwestern United States and desert Mexico features narrow, pencil-like stems. In December, the pencil cactus grows red berries, which explains its alternate common name.

What is the meaning of saguaro?

Saguaro. This gigantic cactus symbolizes the Sonoran Desert, the state of Arizona, northern Mexican cultures, and even the United States around the world. They are remarkable organisms, living for over one-hundred and fifty years and acting as hotels for myriad animals.

Where do walking stick cactus grow?

It is known mostly from the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. In the United States, it is seen only in Arizona and New Mexico.

What genus are cactuses?

Explore the American cactuses by genus: Cereus. Coryphantha. Cylindropuntia. Echinocereus. Ferocactus. Mammillaria. Opuntia.

Where is the threatened cactus located?

This threatened cactus is known only only from a narrow corridor in Southwestern Colorado. It features magenta flowers and multicolored spines.

Where is the Beavertail cactus found?

The classic southwestern Prickly pear cactus, the Beavertail is common in the Mojave, Sonoran and Colorado deserts. This plant, which can forms hundreds of pads, was a key part of the diet of many pre-Columbian southwestern tribes.

What cactus can I plant in the desert?

Some good choices of desert cactus types for growing outside are the Arizona Barrel Cactus, the Prickly Pear, and the Old Man Cactus.

What color are cactus flowers?

Although short-lived, cactus flowers can be stunning. Cactus flowers can be various colors from deep pinks to beautiful shades of red. Yellow, orange, white, and burgundy flowers are also common in various types of cactus.

How big does a powder puff cactus get?

The spherical cactus will grow to between 3” and 5” (7.5 – 12 cm) high and about the same in diameter.

How many hours of darkness does a Christmas cactus need?

To ensure the Christmas cactus flowers, it needs to be in cool conditions with little water and get 12 – 14 hours of darkness every day.

What are some good house plants to grow?

Many types of cactus plants are easy to grow and care for and can make great houseplants. There is a wide variety of cacti to choose from if you want to grow this type of plant. Cacti come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and some house cacti look stunning when they flower. Lots of different types of cacti also thrive outdoors where the climate is hot and dry. Some cactus species also thrive in tropical climates where they require a warm humid environment.

How tall does a bunny ear cactus grow?

This type of cactus houseplant looks comical with its green pads that resemble rabbit’s ears. The indoor cactus can grow around 15” to 23” (40 – 60 cm) tall. However, as with most cacti, the Bunny Ears cactus is slow-growing and a small type of plant will take a few years to reach this height.

How to identify a cactus?

Cactus identification is usually based on their shape, blooming habits, and spines or hairs. Cacti can have a spherical, columnar, cylindrical, or disc shape and typically have characteristic areoles (small bumps) where sharp or soft spines grow. All types of cactus flower, and you can tell the species depending on when it blooms.

What are the cacti in the desert?

In North America, the Sonoran Desert of northwestern Mexico and the adjacent areas of California and Arizona are dotted with large cacti, especially the tall saguaro ( Cereus giganteus ), while to the north in the cooler Mojave Desert the characteristic Joshua tree ( Yucca brevifolia) is found. The creosote…

What is the Sonoran Desert?

Sonoran Desert, also called Desierto de Altar, arid region covering 120,000 square miles (310,800 square km) in southwestern Arizona and southeastern California, U.S., and including much of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, part of Baja California state, and the western half of the state of Sonora. Subdivisions of the hot, dry region ...

How many square miles are there in the Sonoran Desert?

Sonoran Desert National Monument, established in 2001, preserves 760 square miles (1,970 square km) southwest of Phoenix. Within its borders are three mountain ranges, wide valleys, and saguaro forests. The endangered Sonoran pronghorn makes its home there, as do more than 200 species of birds.

What is the name of the desert in the southeast?

The creosote…. North American Desert: Physiography. …in the southeast with the Sonoran Desert, which covers much of Baja California and runs along the Gulf of California coast to the Mexican state of Sonora. Its subdivisions include the Yuma and Colorado deserts.

What is the hottest desert in the world?

The hottest and driest part of the desert is near the lower Colorado River, where summer temperatures can reach more than 120 °F (49 °C) and rainfall is less than three inches. Sonoran Desert, Arizona. S. Michael Bisceglie/Animals Animals.

How much rain does the Sonoran Desert get?

The Sonoran Desert has a subtropical climate and receives 3 to 15 inches (75 to 380 mm) of rain per year . Most of it falls during the monsoon season (July–September), when strong, brief thunderstorms bring heavy rain. Lighter winter rainfall occurs in December and January. Frosts are rare.

What animals live in the desert?

Desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, collared peccaries (commonly known as javelinas), mountain lions, gray foxes, and coyotes make their homes in the desert. Other typical residents include desert tortoises, Gila monsters, tarantulas, scorpions, and a variety of lizards and snakes.

What are the animals that live in the Sonoran Desert?

Learn about the unique animals and plants that call Greater Phoenix's Sonoran Desert home, including saguaros, desert tortoises, cactus wrens, agaves and more.

How tall do barrel cactus get?

Barrel cactus: This cactus is easily distinguished by its rounded, accordion-like body; older barrels grow up to 10 feet high. Tops are crowned by a ring of yellow, orange or red flowers.

What is the wettest desert in the world?

Depending on the time of year, the Sonoran Desert will put on a show for you. As the wettest desert in the world, it's home to a wide range of plant life — distinct wildflowers, trees, shrubs and, of course, cactus. Take a closer look at what you might encounter out on the trails.

How many animals are there in the Sonoran Desert?

You may be familiar with some of the animals of the Sonoran Desert, such as the rattlesnake or the coyote, but there's so much more: The Sonoran Desert is home to more than 500 different animal species, including more than 350 varieties of birds. Learn about some of the critters that inhabit and thrive in the desert.

What is the name of the shrub that hummingbirds eat?

Ocotillo: A thorny shrub with spiny branches that grows up to 20 feet high, ocotillo looks “dead” most of the year, but after a rain, fireworks of red flowers burst forth, offering food for hummingbirds.

What is the name of the flower that pops out of the stems of bighorn sheep?

Desert globemallow: A favorite snack of bighorn sheep, these apricot-orange flowers pop out along the edges of stems. The leaves defend themselves with hairs that have an eye irritant.

Do Mexican poppies need rain?

Poppies: The Mexican Gold poppies are dependent on winter rain. But, if the year is wet enough, spring may reveal these smaller subspecies covering entire hillsides. And what a sight it is.

What is the name of the cactus in the Sonoran Desert?

The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is one of the defining plants of the Sonoran Desert. These plants are large, tree-like columnar cacti that develop branches (or arms) as they age, although some never grow arms. These arms generally bend upward and can number over 25.

What is the largest cactus in the United States?

The saguaro is the largest cactus in the United States.

What can a saguaro be used for?

After the saguaro dies its woody ribs can be used to build roofs, fences, and parts of furniture. The holes that birds nested in or "saguaro boots" can be found among the dead saguaros. Native Americans used these as water containers long before the canteen was available.

How tall is a saguaro?

Saguaro are very slow growing cactus. A 10 year old plant might only be 1.5 inches tall. Saguaro can grow to be between 40-60 feet tall (12-18m). When rain is plentiful and the saguaro is fully hydrated it can weigh between 3200-4800 pounds.

Is the Saguaro endangered?

The saguaro is not currently listed as threatened or endangered. Arizona has strict regulations about the harvesting, collection or destruction of this species.

Can a saguaro die from frost?

If the elevation is too high, the cold weather and frost can kill the saguaro. Although the the Sonoran Desert experiences both winter and summer rains, it is thought that the Saguaro obtains most of its moisture during the summer rainy season.

How many species of plants are there in the Sonoran Desert?

More than 2,000 species of plants have been identified in the Sonoran Desert, and each of the three physiological groupings of vascular plants (C3, C4, and CAM photosynthetic pathways) dominate one or more major biotic communities. More striking than species diversity is the tremendous variability in Sonoran Desert lifeforms, ...

Where is the Sonoran Desert located?

The Sonoran Desert occupies approximately 260,000 square km (100,387 square mi) of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, including the southern half of Arizona, southeastern California, and most of the states of Sonora and Baja California, Mexico. Bounded on the north by the Mogollon Rim, the Sonoran Desert grades into the Chihuahuan Desert to the east, the Mohave Desert to the west, and the tropical forests and montane forests of central Mexico to the south. Extending between 23°N and 30°N, the subtropical Sonoran Desert represents a continental-scale ecotone between the tropics and temperate zones of western North America. At a regional scale, the Sonoran Desert serves as a transition between the Sierra Madre and the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific and Gulf coasts, and the coastal lowlands of Baja and the mid-continent.

What is the diversity of the Sonoran Desert?

First-time visitors to Sonoran Desert Network parks are often surprised by the tremendous natural variation between, as well as within, each park. However, the very diversity of species, lifeforms, and landscapes is one of the common threads that unifies SODN parks. The Sonoran Desert is thought to have the greatest species diversity of any desert in North America, and that diversity occurs over relatively fine spatial scales. The Sonoran Desert is home to at least 60 species of mammals, more than 350 bird species, 20 amphibians, some 100 reptiles, and about 30 species of native fish. More than 2,000 species of plants have been identified in the Sonoran Desert, and each of the three physiological groupings of vascular plants (C3, C4, and CAM photosynthetic pathways) dominate one or more major biotic communities.

How did humans influence the Sonoran Desert?

Humans have shaped the ecology of the Sonoran Desert for millennia. It has been postulated that over exploitation by Stone Age Native Americans may have led to the documented extinctions of Pleistocene megafauna in North America. While this theory is controversial, Paleoindians undoubtedly influenced plant and animal populations. Archeological remains indicate that later inhabitants, the Hohokam, impacted flora and fauna by selective hunting/collecting practices and by dispersing species (particularly plants) throughout the Sonoran Desert.

What was the name of the irrigation system in the Sonoran Desert?

Early practitioners employed runoff irrigation, called Ak-Chin by the Tohono O'odham, wherein seeds of crop plants were sown near washes to capture runoff during the rainy seasons.

How much precipitation does the Sonoran Desert get?

Annual precipitation in the Sonoran Desert averages from 76 to 500 mm (3–20 in) depending on location, with substantial inter- and intra-annual variability in timing and quantity. Precipitation is typically much higher with elevation due to the orographic effects of the sky islands, with a sizable proportion occurring as snowfall.

What is the most diverse desert in the world?

The Sonoran Desert is thought to have the greatest species diversity of any desert in North America, and that diversity occurs over relatively fine spatial scales. The Sonoran Desert is home to at least 60 species of mammals, more than 350 bird species, 20 amphibians, some 100 reptiles, and about 30 species of native fish.

Cactaceae

Giant Columnar Cacti: Saguaro, Organpipe, Senita, and Cardon

• Two defining life forms of the Sonoran Desert’s vegetation are giant columnar cacti and legume trees. Both are characteristic of arid tropical habitats (the cacti only in the “New World”) and their presence in the Sonoran Desert reflects its affinity to the tropics. Arizona Upland (a sub-divison of the Sonoran Desert) experiences frequent frosts, a...

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Genus Peniocereus

Genus Stenocereus

Genus Echinocereus

Genera Ferocactus and Echinocactus

Genus Mammillaria