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An indoor desert exhibit is captured, featuring a large, tall columnar cactus in the foreground. To its right, a spiky yucca plant stands next to an interpretive sign. The plants are surrounded by various sizes of rocks, creating a desert landscape. In the background, a path winds through it which is housed under a large, glass-domed structure with visible white support beams.

Saguaro

Common Name:
Saguaro
Origin:
Southern Arizona
Color:
  • White
Attracts:
  • Bees
  • Birds
  • Bats
Plant Type:
  • Cactus/Succulent
About:

White Wing Doves consume the seeds of this cactus? Learn more about the Saguaro cactus.

Carnegiea gigantea

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree F zones.

2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

9a (20 °F to 25 °F)

9b (25 °F to 30 °F)

10a (30 °F to 35 °F)

10b (35 °F to 40 °F)

11a (40 °F to 45 °F)

11b (45 °F to 50 °F)

Endangered Status
  • Extinct in Wild (EW)
  • Critically Endangered (CR)
  • Endangered (EN)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Near Threatened (NT)
  • Least Concern (LC)
  • Not Evaluated (NE)

Nature’s water tower

Saguaro (sa-WAH-ro) are huge tree-like cacti found only in the Sonora Desert. They may reach 40-60 feet tall and live over a hundred years. White flowers bloom in the spring but only open at night. The Saguaro is pleated, and these expand with water after a rain. The pleats contract as the cactus uses the stored water during dry periods. The NC Zoo's Desert collection contains a legally wild collected (permitted) specimen of this plant.

Fun Facts:
  • The largest cactus in the US is also the state flower of Arizona.
  • Slow growing cactus, may be 75 years old before it grows an "arm" however; some never develop arms.
  • Food source and drink for Native Americans.
  • Pollinators include bats, insects and birds.
  • White Wing Doves consumes the seeds.
A tall, cylindrical Saguaro cactus with ribbed sides, covered with pointy spines. Behind it is a tall rock wall, next to a square mesh fence and more, smaller cactuses in a rocky, desert environment.