Saguaros and Sunsets

This site is dedicated to the Saguaro and the far-sighted volunteers  who created the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive. Without their community action it's likely the beauty that we enjoy today would have been swept away by the unplanned growth that has turned many scenic areas into ordinary ones. 

The small redwood signs that residents installed have not only identified plants all these years; they have helped preserve a natural, scenic corridor. We thank them for giving our community the opportunity to be different! The tradition they started is as unique as the desert character they sought to preserve.

About the Saguaro

The Saguaro is the signature plant of the Sonoran Desert, Arizona's state flower and the largest cactus in the United States. It is also known as sahuaro and giant cactus and its name is pronounced sah-WAR-oh.

Saguaros usually grow to about 30' in height and 9 tons in weight. They can attain 50' in height and some very large specimens live in the foothills area. Saguaros grow only in the Sonoran Desert at elevations from 600 to 3,600'. The plant blooms during the months of May and June with clusters of waxy-white, funnel-shaped clusters of flowers on the tops of its "arms". Bees and other insects are attracted to the flowers during the day; bat and moths at night. Full-grown plants produce about 100 fruits a season. There is a bat species that migrates north from Mexico as the saguaro come into bloom.

Some of Our Saguaros Shared the Desert with the Apache

Saguaros live for 150 to 200 years. Imagine, some of the specimens we see today began life before Arizona began statehood. Others were here when the Apache still roamed the area. Saguaros grow slowly - very slowly. After the first year they reach 1/2" in height; 1' in 15 years; 10' in 40-50 years; 12-20' in 75 to 100 years, when they begin to grow arms. Early in their life most saguaros need a larger plant such as a palo verde, ironwood or creosote bush to protect them from the sun and trampling. These protective plants are referred to as nurse plants.

The wide-spread root system of a mature Saguaro can soak up to 200 gallons of water during a rainstorm which cause the plant to expand. During periods of drought they lose bulk. Saguaros survive Arizona's strong monsoon season gusts by swaying with the wind.

Beyond Scenic Value

The pulp and seeds produced by this cactus are an important food source for birds, rodents, ants, and other insects. Scorpions can often be found living in fallen, deceased saguaros. The Gila and other woodpeckers drill holes in the saguaros for nest sites. Later, these nest sites are used by owls and other birds. Native Americans use the fruit and seeds for food. When a saguaro dies its wooden ribs are used by man for shelter, hiking sticks, and knick-knacks. The ribs can also be used to build fences and corrals.

* Credit. The principle source for the above Saguaro information was A Field Guide to the Plants of Arizona by Anne Orth Epple with photographs by Lewis Epple, published by Falcon. This book is an excellent guide to Arizona flora. The picture was donated by Howard Meyer a Friend of the Scenic Drive volunteer.

There's More to Learn

The plants and the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive have very interesting stories to tell. You will find those stories and a lot more during your visit with Friends of the Scenic Drive.