Saguaro, Arizona’s wonder cactus

   The beautiful waxy white flower of the giant saguaro cactus (Cereus giganteus) was designated as symbol of the State Arizona in 1931.

   This cactus reaches heights of 12-15 meters and lives 150-200 years. Originary from the Sonoran Desert

of southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico, saguaro grows slowly and needs 75 years to develop an offshoot. Saguaro is the largest cactus in the U.S.. It blooms in late May and early June and its fruits appear and ripe a month later. The flowers are white with yellow middle and measure 7.6 cm which are pollinated by bats, doves, bees and other kinds of birds. Fruits contain 2,000 seeds! The fruit can be consumed as such, made ​​juice or syrup, and seeds are also edible. The seed pulp has 30% fat and 10% protein and 70% carbohydrates. The syrup is also used for preparation of wines. Its flower closes on cool nights and reopens on the daylight. Stems can reach a diameter of 45-70 centimeters. When it rains, the cactus stores water in tissues. Because it is a species threatened with extinction,one  has established a national park to protect it, called Saguaro National Park. The largest cactus in the world is the Cardón cactus or Pachycereus pringlei, which reaches a maximum height of 21 meters and weights up to 25 tonnes. This cactus grows slowly and lives more than 300 years. Not to be confused with Saguaro, although it is similar and also has pungent spines. The Cardón cactus is native to northwestern Mexico, Baja California and Sonora.