Cactus Types

Every living organism can be classified into different scientific groups it belongs to depending on its physical characteristics. The highest category is the kingdom while the lowest classification is the species. As you move from the top (kingdom) to the bottom (species) of the classification tree, the characteristics of the organism become more specific and defined. 

So, what is the classification of cactus? Cacti belong to Kingdom Plantae, Phylum Tracheophyta, Division Anthophyta, and Class Magnoliopsida.  These succulents belong to Subclass Caryophyllidae, Order Caryophyllales and Family Cactaceae. There are approximately 150 genera in the entire Cactaceae family, but they are generally divided into three subgroups: Opunitieae, Pereskieae, and Cactoidea. There are over 2000 different cacti species that fall into two main categories, namely Opuntias and Cactoids.

In this article, we cover everything you need to know about the classification of the cactus plant. We shall also highlight some of the critical features of a cactus plant and how these succulents interact with human beings. So, let us get started.

Understanding Cactus Etymology

The word cactus is derived from the Greek word Kaktos which means a spiny thistle, possibly the cardoon. The Greek term was modified to cactus in 1753.

Although cactus is a common term, there is some dispute over the word’s proper plural form. If we stick to the original Greek word (Kaktos), the correct plural in English would be “cactoi” or “cactuses.”

However, as a word in Botanical Latin, distinct from Classical Latin, the term cactus is forced to follow the standard Latin rules for pluralization to become “cacti.” In fact, “cacti” has become the standard pluralization for cactus in English.

Regardless, the term “cactus” is commonly used as both singular and plural in many parts of the world and is cited as both singular and plural by the Random House Unabridged Dictionary.

What Are the Main Elements of a cactus Plant Used in Its Classification?

Every living organism has its unique features that usually play a critical role in its classification. Here are the main features of a cactus plant that determine its classification:

1. Stem

Cacti plants have succulent stems that store water. The stem can be smooth or covered with small bumps known as tubercles. Other stems can be ribbed in shape. The ribs become more visible when the cactus is short of water but invisible when the plant has stored plenty of water.

The stems of cacti plants are mostly some shade of green because they contain chlorophyll, which is needed during photosynthesis.

They also have stomata that open and close at different times of the day to allow the passage of gases. Some cacti plants have waxy stems.

2. Leaves

Most cacti plants don’t have real leaves. It is one of the features that help them survive in deserts. Instead of leaves, they have spines that protect them from predators.

The stems are modified to perform photosynthesis. However, some cacti species have tree-like leaves, which may be short-lived or permanent. It all depends on where the cactus grows naturally.

3. Areoles

Areoles are fur-like areas on the stem of the cactus plant from which flowers and spines grow. Areoles may be oval, circular, separate, or entirely separate but still connected to each other.

The multicellular hairs of the areoles give them a brownish or yellowish woolly/fur-like appearance. They produce spines and flowers in most cacti species and then become inactive after that.

4. Roots

Most cacti plants have fine roots that spread out around the base of the succulent to absorb water.  Most of them grow shallow roots that are only a few inches below the ground surface. However, some species have a taproot that is much larger than the body to support the taller column-like cactus.

 Tree climbers (a special type of cacti plants) usually have unique roots produced along the stem whenever the cactus comes across something that it can cling or root onto.

5. Flowers

Cacti flowers differ from species to species.  The flowers can either grow in clusters or as single blooms. Their colors range from white to red, yellow, and magenta. 

Some cacti species bloom in spring, while others bloom in summer.

6. Spines

You need to keep in mind that cactus spines aren’t thorns. Spines are modified leaves, while thorns are mostly modified branches. Spines grow from the areoles and are still present even in cacti species with leaves.

Some cacti species, especially the tree-living ones, only grow spines when they are still young. Cacti spines differ in thickness and may appear bristle-like or hair-like. They can be curved, hooked, or straight.

Some cacti species have minute spines that shed quite easily and can cause severe pain and irritation when they penetrate your skin.

The Six Classifications of a Cactus

Below are the six classifications of a typical cactus plant:

1. Kingdom

Kingdom is the highest classification group. We only have two Kingdoms, namely Plantae and Animalia.  Since cactus is a plant, it automatically becomes a member of the Kingdom Plantae. On the other hand, all animals are members of Kingdom Animalia.

2. Phylum and Division

Cacti plants belong to the Phylum Tracheophyta because they are vascular plants. These succulents belong to the Division Anthophyta because they are flowering plants. The other name for flowering plants is angiosperms.

3. Class and Subclass

These desert plants are part of the Class Magnoliopsida and Subclass Caryophyllidae. They belong to Class Magnoliopsida because they are dicots.  All plants categorized in Class Magnoliopsida and subclass Caryophyllidae are insect-pollinated, and their seeds have two cotyledons.

4. Order and Family

Cacti plants belong to the Order Caryophyllales and the Family Cactaceae. Caryophyllales is a relatively large group of approximately 26 families of flowering plants with over 12,500 different species.

This includes the succulent plant families Cactaceae (cacti), Aizoaceae, Portulacaceae( Purslanes), Didieraceae and the carnivorous plant families Nepenthes and Droseraceae.

Order Caryophyllales also features essential horticultural and agricultural crops such as bougainvillea, Caryophyllaceae, spinach, rhubarb, and beet.

5. Genus

There are over 150 genera in the extensive Cactaceae family. The different genera are further classified into three tribes or subgroups: Opunitieae, Pereskieae, and Cactoidea.

Almost all cacti plants fall into the Cactoidea subgroup. Two genera, namely the Maihueniahe Persicae and Pereskia, make up the subgroup.

Cacti plants in these genera mainly have woody stems and semi-deciduous leaves. Their areolas are also wolly and spiny at the leaf axils.  These cacti plants produce flowers and fleshy fruits.

The Opunitieae mainly comprises the prickly pear varieties, including Pterocactus, Tacinga, Quiabentia, and Pereskiopsis.  These cacti varieties usually have fleshy branches, and their areolas have fine hairs. Their fruits are seedy, and the leaves are cylindrical or flat.

6. Species

There are over 2000 different cacti species that fall into two main groups, namely Opuntias and Cactoids.

The common features to both categories include fleshy stems modified to perform photosynthesis, small absent leaves and flowers with ovaries buried in a receptacle. Cacti plants in both categories also possess areoles and develop shallow roots.

The other cacti species that don’t belong to the two categories mentioned above fall in any of the two remaining categories: Pereskia and Maihuenia.

Mature cacti plants that fall in any of these species usually have woody barks that highly resemble trees. They also have true leaves that perform photosynthesis, and their flower ovaries are not sunken in a receptacle.

Those that fall into the Maihuenia category tend to have small globular bodies with tiny leaves at the top. However, some members of this group look like normal trees.

Cacti Plants and Humans

Human beings have been growing cacti plants as houseplants for many years. Some people use cacti fruits and nopales as food and herbal medicine.

The prickly pear is one of the commonly cultivated cacti. Both its stems and fruits are edible in many parts of the world. The cactus is native to Mexico and the southwestern parts of the United States, where it is highly cherished and used for food and medicinal use.

The prickly pear juice is used to relieve skin rashes and wound pains. In Africa and parts of Australia, the prickly pear is used as cattle food and a natural thorn fence to protect cattle from predators and thieves.

Other cacti species have also been useful to human beings. For instance, the giant Saguaro Cactus bears edible fruit while the Peyote produces a juice with a hallucinogenic effect mostly used in Native American religious ceremonies.

Final Thoughts

Cactus is a flowering plant with over 150 genera and approximately 2,000 species. Classification of cactus, just like any other living organism, depends on its physical traits.

Although most of these succulents are native to North and South America, we have a few species spread worldwide. Mexico remains the leading country with the highest number of cacti species.

While some cactus species inhabit tropical and subtropical areas, most of them grow in deserts and are well adapted to surviving in the harsh environment.

Cactus is one of the most noticeable plants in the world. While most cactus plants are adapted to grow in dry areas, not all are found in the desert. Notably, there are two primary classifications of cacti; desert and forest cactus. Desert cacti come in various types, ranging from the smallest, three-inch fish-hook cactus to the towering Saguaro cactus that grows up to 40 feet.

So, what kind of cactus live in the desert? There are literary thousands of cactus plants adapted for the desert. However, the most common types of cactus that live in the desert include the following:

1. Saguaro
2. Cardon
3. Barrel Cactus
4. Organ pipe cactus
5. Prickly pear cactus
6. Hedgehog Cactus
7. Cholla Cactus
8. Fishhook Cactus
9. Pencil Cactus

This article will look into these and more of the desert cactus in terms of their features and adaptations. We take a look at their growth cycles, regions found, and their suitability as a homegrown or indoor plant.

1.     Saguaro

Saguaro cactus is one of the most recognizable cacti, thanks to its tree-like stature and growth. It can grow up to 40 feet tall with a lifespan of over 150 years. The cactus is native to Arizona’s Sonora Desert. Thanks to its long lifespan, Saguaro may grow its first sidearm at around 80 years of age, while some never do.

Saguaro is grown mainly from seed and rarely does so by cuttings, but when they do, its shape takes a totally different appearance. The cactus has an extended root network that may go up to 100 feet. Its long tap roots run up to 3 feet deep. The spines are notably sharp and may grow up to 1mm per day.

This gentle Mexican giant produces white waxy flowers that appear from April through June.  The flowers bloom well after sunset and would close in the afternoons.

Saguaro cactus can be grown indoors as long as they are placed in a brightly lit room with a possibility of being moved outside regularly.

2.     Cardon

Cardon, also known as the elephant cactus, is one of the biggest cacti found in the desert. It is native to northwest Mexico and found in states like Sonora and Baja California Sur. It grows up to 70 ft tall and can weigh up to twenty-five tons.

Fruits from Cardon cactus were a vital food element for Sanora’s Seri people. The cactus has a special relationship with fungal and bacterial colonies on its roots. This allows it to grow even on bare rock with no soil support whatsoever. This is all thanks to the bacteria that helps fix nitrogen from the air, thus breaking down the rock for nutrients.

Cardon resembles Saguaro in shape and growth, but it is more heavily branched with its branches appearing just at the base of the step. This cactus produces large, nocturnal, white flowers that occur along the plant’s ribs rather than only at the stems’ apices.

The Cardon cactus can be grown indoors but needs enough sun and heat as it is adapted for the deserts.

3.     Barrel Cactus

Barrel cactus is one of the most resistant desert cacti and is native to the South and North American deserts. The largest specimens of the cactus are found in southern California’s Mojave Desert. At maturity, some species of the cactus can reach over 3 feet tall.

The cactus stands out with its numerous, pronounces ribs. It also features long spines that may range in color from red to yellow to tan, depending on the plant’s species and age. After several years of growth, flowers will be seen at the top of the plant. Its flowers are mostly orange or bright yellow, but there are varieties with red and pink colors. It has a lifespan of about 100 years.

Barrel cactus produces a small pineapple-shaped fruit after flowering. This fruit can stay on the plant for a full year if left untouched. However, the fruit is not edible as it is mostly bitter and fairly dry.

4.     Organ Pipe Cactus

The organ pipe cactus derives its name from its resemblance to a pipe organ. Locally referred to as ‘pitaya dulce,’ organ pipe cactus is native to the United States and Mexico.  It is mostly found in the regions’ rocky deserts.

 The organ pipe cactus has its stems growing from a single short truck. It develops several stems about 6 inches thick. Depending on the region, the plant can grow to a maximum height of 16 o 26 feet. A fully mature plant of the cactus can extend to a width of about 12 feet, with each step featuring 12 to 19 inch, dark brown or black ribs.

The plant produces funnel-shaped white flowers that bloom at night and close at dawn. This makes bats its primary pollinators. It also produces an edible fruit the size and shape of a tennis ball.

The organ pipe cactus can be grown indoors but needs exposure to full sun and irrigation at least once a day during the hot, dry weather.

5.     Prickly Pear

The prickly pear, also known as opuntia or nopal, is one of the flat-stemmed spiny cacti native to the Western Hemisphere. Most of its species are homegrown and are an essential source of food for most inhabitants of tropical and subtropical countries. Its common culinary species, the Indian fig opuntia, may grow 16 to 23 feet tall with a trunk diameter of about 3 feet.

The plant produces large, solitary, axillary, and bisexual flowers that later lead to a berry-like yellow, white or reddish-purple fruit with arillate seeds. This desert plant can be grown at home with warmer climates preferred. Prickly pear is widely known for its edible fruits and use as a forage crop. Its hard seeds come in handy in the production of oil.

Cutting and propagation of the prickly pear are possible through its stems. While its fruits have mostly been a source of food for the natives, research also shows some cactus varieties have medicinal values. This is all thanks to their pectin and fiber, which may help lower blood pressure by decreasing sugar absorption in the intestines and stomach.

6.     Hedgehog Cactus

Hedgehog cactus is a low-growing desert cactus found mainly in the southwestern United  States. Otherwise referred to as Engelmann’s hedgehog cactus after George Englemann, a renowned botanist and physician, this cacti variety earned its name thanks to its resemblance to hedgehogs.

Hedgehog cactus grows lowly and produces several clumps ranging from about 40 to 50, 12-inch green stems in each clump. Depending on the number of clumps, the plant can grow 2 to 3 feet wide. The cylindrical stems feature between eleven and fourteen ribs with solidly covered spines.

This desert succulent produces colorful flowers that eventually lead to some edible, spherical fruits. At its initial stages, the fruits are fully covered with spines, but these fall off with time as the fruit ripens.

Propagation of hedgehog cactus can be done through offset cuttings or seeds. For better results growing this cacti variety at home, it is recommended to sow in summer or spring.

7.     Cholla Cactus

The cholla cactus is a shrubby desert succulent native to North America.  It grows in joints of various lengths. The joints feature some formidable-looking spines and brightly colored. These spines generally act as reduced leaves and feature an external papery sheath.

The cholla cactus can stick or hold on to anything it gets in contact with, thanks to its tiny curved hooks on the spines. The cholla cactus comes in various types that include:

Slender Stemmed Chollas – Otherwise known as diamond cholla, this cholla variety feature slender, blue-green stems the produce long, white spines.  These are native to the Sonora and Mojave Desert.

Tree-like Chollas – Otherwise known as chain fruit cholla, this variety features a strong central stout trunk when fully mature. It also has its flowers blooming from its older fruits. The plant can be propagated from loose joints or fruits.

Shrubby Chollas – Otherwise known as Staghorn cholla, this cholla variety stands out with its branching habits that mimic deer horns. During winter, its stems turn purplish while its flowers range from yellow to greenish to red.

Despite being a desert succulent, the cholla cactus can be grown in home gardens and as barrier plants.

8.     Fishhook Cactus

Fish-hook cactus is a general name that applies to any hook-spined species of the Echinomstus, general Mammillaria, and Scierocactus. It is one of the smallest of the desert cacti, growing to about 7 inches high.

This cactus got its name from its spines that resemble fishing hooks. In fact, some species of this desert cacti feature notably strong spines that could be used as actual fishing hooks by the natives throughout the Americas.

Each of its cluster spines features 3 or 4 black, hooked central spines and a couple of white radial ones.  The fish-hook cactus produces brightly colored, pink, or white flowers measuring about 1.4 inches. This eventually leads to a fleshy, shiny, red fruit with black seeds.

9.     Pencil Cactus

The pencil cactus may not be a real cactus per se but rather falls in the Euphorbia family. It got its name from its tiny stems that resemble a pencil in size and shape. When injured, the plant produces some cloudy, milky sap, thus earning the nickname ‘milk bush’. This desert succulent is native to India and Africa.

The pencil cactus can grow to about 30 feet tall. It is a leafless plant, but some tiny leaves would usually appear at the tip of new branches. These eventually fall off as the branch matures. As such, it uses its pencil-sized branches for photosynthesis.

This desert plant can be grown in home gardens with minimum watering and gritty soil.

How are cactus plants adapted to their environment?

Apart from their unique appearance, cacti also have another outstanding feature that sets them apart from most conventional plants. Its ability to adapt thrive in the harshest of environments is remarkable. The cactus is adapted to dry areas thanks to a number of features and characteristics. Here are some of these features:

Shallow root systems

Water is hard to come by in the deserts.  Faced with this reality, cacti adapt through its extensive shallow root system. The roots spread over a larger area but just below the surface to tap on the little rainwater that comes by once in a while. Larger varieties of cacti, like the giant Saguaro, would, however, have one deep taproot to help anchor the frame above by keeping a strong base.

During the rainy season, most cacti develop temporary root hairs to help harness the little water and prevent loss of the same.

Leafless

Apart from a few species, Cacti are generally leafless. This is an adaptive strategy that helps minimize water loss during photosynthesis. Desert cacti have transferred photosynthesis from the leaves to its stem to help reduce moisture loss that would naturally happen through the stomata. It complements this by adopting CAM photosynthesis, a process where the plant’s stomata only open when temperatures are cooler, preferably at night.

Succulence

Cactus stems are specially designed to store a large amount of water, thanks to its succulence. A cactus’ cortical layer is specially adapted to act as a water reservoir through its thin but flexible water-holding cells. This water would then be released in bits when it matters most, preferably during the dry seasons.

Temperature resistance

For plants growing in desert environments, one of their worst enemies is the sun. The scorching heat from the sun can be unforgiving for any living organism, and this is no different for cactus. However, cacti have adapted to this thanks to the accordion effect.

The accordion effect is a process whereby cactus ribs and tubercles expand without bursting and would later retract as the water is used up. This helps minimize the surface area facing direct sunlight.

Slow Metabolism

Leaves help catalyze photosynthesis and subsequently plant growth. For desert cacti, however, less green tissue means a slower metabolism. This makes them slow growers. On the flip side, this is a positive adaptation for desert environments. It helps them conserve energy that would otherwise be used in developing additional foliage. Instead, cacti focus on maintaining existing structures that keep them alive.

The slow metabolism also helps cacti attain longer lifespans. Some cacti species have been documented to live for up to 200 years. The longer they live, the better their chances of reproduction.

Protective Spines

The majority of desert cacti feature spines that come in various shapes and colors.  These are not meant for beauty but a protective feature that helps the plant ward off predators.

Considering cacti would thrive and remain green even during drought, some animals would be tempted to tap into their succulent stems. The spines help deter these efforts, thus increasing their chances of survival.

Can Desert Cactus be grown at home?

While cacti are suitably adapted for the deserts, most of them can easily thrive in home environments as long as favorable conditions are met. This said, you can easily grow desert cacti, either in your garden, on the patio, or indoors.

However, harvesting desert cacti in its natural habitat is illegal in most states, and it is essential to get the requisite licenses and approvals before embarking on the same.

How to care for desert cacti at home

Despite their adaptation to the desert environments, cacti need some good care to thrive better.  For instance, frequent watering helps cactus flower much easily and with brighter blooms.  However, take caution not to overdo processes like watering; once or twice a month will do.

Good compost also matters for desert cacti. Ensure you have a well-drained compost to avoid too much dampness. The compost would also look much better with a top layer of pebbles or gravel for a naturally polished look. This will also add to the stability of the plant as it grows taller.

Pot size also matters when growing cacti indoors; they thrive and flower better when grown in small pots.  Being an outdoor plant, cactus needs adequate sunlight too.  When grown indoors, always ensure they are positioned in a brightly lit area. In addition, good loamy soil with neutral soil pH will work best.

Desert cactus has a fragile and intricate web of life. They come in the weirdest shapes and sizes, but all these are meant to help cushion the succulent from the desert’s unforgiving conditions. There are literally thousands of desert cacti species. While some are extinct, others are on the verge of getting wiped out, thanks to illegal human activities and natural disasters. 

As much as most of these desert cacti can be grown at home, others are not recommendable due to their toxicity, size and government restrictions. Before getting a desert cactus for our home garden, ensure you liaise with the relevant local administration for proper approval and licensing. Your choice for a desert cactus type will highly depend on its availability within your area, its purpose at home, and your personal preference.

When you think of a cactus, it’s usually the iconic Saguaro that first comes to mind. It’s synonymous with the Southwest US region, and for a good reason. It’s also one of the few visuals you can actually care for at home as a living souvenir of Southwest Americana. You’ll have a harder time with the coyotes and roadrunners.

The Saguaro, pronounced SUH-WAHR-OH, is a particularly unique cactus plant native to the Sonoran Desert, which includes Arizona, Mexico, and California. It is illegal to transplant the Saguaro cactus from the Sonoran Desert, and Arizona has strict rules protecting the plant, but the Saguaro can be purchased online or at a plant nursery located in the southwest.

While the Saguaro cactus is an enticing purchase for your succulent needs, the plant is rather particular, so it might be handy to do a little background research on the Saguaro before bringing it into your plant family. If you’d like to learn more about the Saguaro cactus and the nuances to its care, you’ve come to the right place.

What is the Saguaro Cactus?

The Saguaro cactus, or Carnegiea gigantea, is probably the cactus you picture when conceptualizing what a cactus is. Like many other cacti, the Saguaro cactus features protective spines and a green body. However, this cactus plant has several notable characteristics that distinguish itself from other cacti.

• Size: The Saguaro cactus is the largest cactus in the United States. They are typically slow-growing, but at full maturity, the average Saguaro grows upwards of 40 feet tall.
• Age: This leads to another Saguaro trait, their incredible lifespan. Although Saguaros can reach enormous heights at full maturity, it takes roughly 125 years for a Saguaro to do so. The average lifespan of a Saguaro generally falls between 150-200 years.
• Shape: Perhaps the Saguaro’s most distinct quality is its shape. The Saguaro features a singular, cylindrical body with several peripheral arms extending from the body and pointing upward. 
• Blossoms: Like most other cactus plants, the Saguaro is a flower. While the Saguaro’s blossoms are not unique in color, creamy white, or size, 3 inches in diameter, the age at which a Saguaro first blooms is unique. The Saguaro does not experience its first bloom until roughly 35-50 years of age.

These characteristics certainly make the Saguaro a distinct symbol of Southwest America, but it also features a list of traits that make it particularly adept at surviving in Southwest America.

• Skin: The Saguaro cactus’s skin is coated in a thick wax that prevents water from escaping its body through transpiration.
• Spines: The Saguaro cactus is also covered by defensive spines that serve to defend the water stored inside from predatory animals.
• Roots: The Saguaro cactus uses a single taproot, extending roughly 5 feet into the ground, to access the region’s groundwater. The rest of the Saguaro’s root system is located near the surface, roughly 3 inches below the ground, to collect rainfall.
• Sponge: When the Saguaro cactus collects this water, it does not use it right away. Instead, the water is soaked up and stored in the cactus’s sponge-like interior.
• Ribs: As more water gets stored in the Saguaro’s sponge-like interior, the skin of the cactus expands, which allows for more storage space. This is made possible by the exterior pleats and interior ribs that expand and contract with the cactus as it stores and depletes water. 

How to Care for the Saguaro Cactus

Although the Saguaro cactus is endemic to the Sonoran Desert, it is possible to purchase and care for your very own Saguaro cactus at home. However, the Saguaro requires very particular care and may not fare well in homes located in colder climates or higher altitudes.

This section will detail the particular methods of care that the Saguaro cactus requires.

Planting

Prior to planting, introduce water into the soil you will use to plant your Saguaro. Also, be sure to begin the planting process in the late spring/early summer months. Saguaro cacti require an abundance of the sun to grow, which is crucial during this early growth stage.

If pot-planting, do not use an overly large pot as the Saguaro has a rather weak root system. Make sure the pot is base-heavy, though as Saguaro’s can grow to be quite large, upwards of 40 feet in fact.

Initial Watering

Once planted, do not water the Saguaro for roughly two weeks. During the summer months, May through October, the Saguaro requires a deep watering once every 2-4 weeks. 

To water your Saguaro, do not use a watering can or any overhead watering technique. The Saguaro’s roots are close to the surface, and this will result in overwatering. Instead, funnel a small hose into the soil surrounding the Saguaro and soak the soil to about one foot in depth.

General Watering

After about six months, the Saguaro’s roots should start to set into the soil. Continue the same watering practices until the roots firmly establish themselves. This typically takes between 1-2 years after the initial planting. 

Then, water the Saguaro once per month during the summer months and do not water at all during the fall or winter months. To properly water your Saguaro, use the hose-method detailed above.

Lay the hose about 5 feet away from the Saguaro’s main body. Then, let the hose run for roughly 30 minutes. Doing this once a month in the summer months should be a sufficient amount of water for your Saguaro.

To make sure your Saguaro is receiving enough water, check the exterior pleats of your Saguaro. If there is less than an inch of space between each pleat, then your cactus needs more water. You can also check the skin to tell if your Saguaro is underwatered. If the skin is not firm, your Saguaro is underwatered.

Sunlight

The Saguaro requires full sun, so it is imperative that you plant the Saguaro in the southernmost portion of your household to receive south exposure. It might be difficult to grow the Saguaro in overcast regions, but there are methods for overcoming this hurdle.

Temperature

The Saguaro does not thrive in colder climates, but it can persist through several hours of frost. If you live in a particularly cold environment, a greenhouse is probably necessary. The Saguaro is only tolerant of about 28 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Additional Resources

In addition to watering your Saguaro, providing it with liquid plant feed during the summer months will supplement its growth.

Your Saguaro might also fall victim to bacterial ooze. This can be easily treated by excavating the infected area and applying a mixture of bleach and water, about 10% bleach and 90% water, to the area.

Why is the Saguaro Cactus Important to the Southwest US?

It is clear that the Saguaro cactus is a unique and iconic symbol of the desert lands that it inhabits. It is also clear that the Saguaro is particularly adept at life in the desert. However, you might be wondering what this cactus plant functionally offers the desert that it inhabits. Functionally, the Saguaro serves various purposes to the Sonoran Desert.

• Provides food to desert animals: When the Saguaro blooms, many birds and insects visit its flowers. In June and early July, its fruit matures, and many desert-residing animals feed upon its fruit, juicy red pulp with 2,000 accompanying seeds.
• Provides shelter to desert animals: Gila woodpeckers and gilded flickers create nesting holes by digging into the fleshy body of the Saguaro. These holes are used by other desert-residing birds such as elf owls, purple martins, house finches, and Ash-throated flycatchers. 
• Provides a hunting perch for predatory birds: Large birds such as the red-tailed hawk nest between the Saguaro’s body and its peripheral arms. They tend to use the tips of these arms as hunting perches.

While the Saguaro is incredibly important to the Sonoran Desert, the desert maybe even more important to the Saguaro.

Why is the Southwest US Important to the Saguaro?

Plenty of people around the world care for their own miniature Saguaro cacti at home, but in nature, they are found only in a quaint patch of desert land in the southwestern United States. 

This is because the Saguaro relies heavily on its climate, and the Sonoran Desert is the only region that provides the perfect climate. The perfect climate possesses these three qualities:

• Temperature: The Saguaro cactus is highly susceptible to low temperatures. The plant will only thrive in climates with minimal days below freezing per year. This is why the Saguaro is located throughout the southernmost desert states but not the more northern desert states like Nevada.
• Rainfall: In addition to consistently high temperatures, the Saguaro also necessitates a certain amount of rainfall to survive. For instance, Tucson, Arizona, located in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, averages about 12 inches of rain per year, which is about 9-10 more inches than Las Vegas, Nevada typically receives.
• Altitude: The Saguaro cactus is only found between sea level and roughly 4,000 feet of elevation. This is due to its susceptibility to low temperatures. 

While these functional qualities make the Saguaro cactus a staple of the southwestern United States and vice versa, there is far more to the Saguaro’s importance than these characteristics.

The Spiritual Importance of the Saguaro Cactus

Western films might be where the Saguaro cactus garnered its icon status to most people, but the cactus was revered long before cinema’s existence as a method for storytelling. The many indigenous tribes that lived and continue to live in the Sonoran Desert have crafted numerous mythoi for the Saguaro.

While there are numerous tribes with an array of different legends, these legends tend to depict the Saguaro as a human or a being that has the characteristics of a human. Let us take a look at a few of these legends and the tribes that crafted them. 

Akimel O’odham (or Pima) – Origin of the Saguaro and Palo Verde Cacti

The Pima people, or Akimel O’odham, which translates to “river people,” are indigenous to the land that is now northwestern Mexico and central and southern Arizona. One of their legends tackles the origins of both the Saguaro and Palo Verde cactus.

The legend goes that an elderly grandmother lived with her two grandchildren, for whom she ground wheat and corn to make porridge every day. One day the grandchildren fought with each other and knocked over the “water-olla” that was heating the water for the porridge.

The grandmother spanked them as punishment, and the two grandchildren ran away in anger. The grandmother gives chase, but she loses them. Now alone, the older grandchild declares that he will turn into a Saguaro so that he will live forever and bear fruit every summer. The younger grandchild claims that he’ll turn into a Palo Verde to make the bare mountains green.

The grandmother approaches the Saguaro cactus as it whistles, recognizing the voice of the whistling to be the voice of her eldest grandson. She tries to take the cactus in her arms, but its prickly spines impale her.

Tohono O’odham (or Papago) – Legend of the Saguaro

The Papago people, or Tohono O’odham, which translates to “desert people,” are indigenous to the neighboring lands to the Akimel O’odham in the Sonoran Desert. They tell a slightly different origin story for the Saguaro cactus.

The legend goes that a young girl sank into the sand and began chanting a song. The nearby children heard the song and noticed the girl sinking into the sand. They cried for help and tried to pry the girl out of the sand, but it was no use. The young girl’s mother came running over, but by then, it was too late. The young girl was completely submerged by the sand.

One year later, the little girl regrew in that same spot in the sand as a Saguaro.

The Saguaro’s Revenge

Many of these legends, including the Akimel O’odham origin story, depict the Saguaro as a human-like entity that enacts revenge on people that have wronged it. This depiction of the Saguaro had a recent return when a true story about a Saguaro’s revenge in the 1980s gained traction on the popular fact-checking site Snopes.

The story goes that two roommates, David Grundman and James Joseph Suchochi, went shooting in the Sonoran Desert a few miles north of Arizona State Route 74. Grundman decided to take aim at some Saguaro cacti nearby and blasted several holes into its main body. According to the story, the Saguaro toppled over onto Grundman’s body, crushing him.

Although Suchochi’s revision of the story asserts that it was only an arm shot off of the Saguaro that crushed Grundman’s body, the story is largely true and serves as an excellent parallel to the Saguaro’s origin stories.

Fun Facts About the Saguaro

This article has delved into many different facets of the Saguaro cactus. However, there is still more information about the cactus plant that we have not yet covered. Here are a few fun facts about the Saguaro cactus that might not be imperative to its care or its symbolism but will undoubtedly be an absolute blast to learn.

• The Saguaro’s scientific name (Carnegiea gigantea) was named after the famed industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie: The Saguaro garnered this scientific name after Carnegie established a desert lab in Tucson for indigenous plant research.
• An adult Saguaro can weigh as much as 10 tons: Roughly 75% of its weight is due to the water stored inside of the cactus.
• The Saguaro’s creamy white bloom is Arizona’s state flower: The Saguaro’s blossom was adopted by Arizona as its state flower in 1931.
• Saguaro fruit is an important cultural icon to the Tohono O’odham Nation: The fruit has been harvested by the Tohono O’odham to make jams and jellies. However, it is also used to make wine that is consumed during the Tohono O’odham rain ceremony, Nawait I’m.
• The average Saguaro cactus can contract or expand in girth up to roughly 20-25% per year: This is due to the amount of water stored inside of the cactus and made possible by the interior ribs of the Saguaro that allow it to expand and contract.
• In rare cases, the Saguaro has been known to grow crested, fan-like arms rather than its iconic forked arms: This is due to a mutation in the Saguaro cactus’s cells. 

Final Thoughts

At the conclusion of this article, it should not only be clear what a Saguaro cactus is and how to properly care for it, but why this cactus, in particular, is so important to the lands it resides in. 

The Saguaro is certainly an iconic symbol of Hollywood’s great Western films. However, this plant is an even greater symbol to the peoples and animals that are indigenous to the lands depicted in these Westerns.

Ultimately, the Saguaro cactus is a distinct plant that should be revered for its astonishing characteristics, and the support it provides all of those living within the same environment as it.