The saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) is a tree-like cactus species in the monotypic genus which can grow to be over 40 feet (12 m) tall. It is native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, the Mexican state of Sonora, and the Whipple Mountains and Imperial County areas of California. The saguaro blossom is the state wildflower of Arizona. Its scientific name was given in honour of Andrew Carnegie. In 1994, Saguaro National Park (near Tucson, Arizona) was designated to help protect this species and its habitat. Saguaros have a relatively long lifespan that often exceeds 150 years. Some grow their first side arm any time between 75 and 100 years of age, while others never grow any. These arms are developed to increase the plant’s reproductive capacity, as more apices lead to more flowers and fruit. A saguaro is able to absorb and store considerable amounts of rainwater; it expands visibly in the process and then slowly uses the stored water as needed. This characteristic enables it to survive during periods of drought. The saguaro cactus is a common image in Mexican culture and films set in the American Southwest.
