Saguaro

Saguaro

Saguaro Carnegiea gigantea is the giant of the Sonoran Desert region of south-west North America. Its tree-like trunks are supported by flexible woody ribs surrounding a central pith that stores large amounts of water. It is very slow-growing and doesn't sprout branches for the first 75 years or so. The huge branched Saguaros are probably over 200 years old but it is difficult to judge their age as they produce no growth rings. [CH] {CA}