Living Beings
    Source-identified Carnegiea gigantea; Source-identified documentary image; see the original file for method and context. Framed for display
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    Carnegiea gigantea 175181779.jpg · Resized and converted to WebP for display. Source-identified documentary image; see the original file for method and context. CK Kelly · CC BY 4.0

    Field guide · species

    Saguaro

    Carnegiea gigantea (Engelm.) Britton & Rose, 1908

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    The authority credits the formal scientific description of the name. A year records publication of that description.

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    ViridiplantaeMagnoliopsidaCaryophyllalesCactaceae

    The saguaro is a giant, columnar cactus of the Sonoran Desert. Its water-storing stem, shallow spreading roots and seasonal flowers link a striking growth form with the unpredictable availability of desert rain.

    Public research profile · final editorial review pending.

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    Tree of lifeScientific lineage
    1. LifeLife
    2. DomainEukaryota
    3. KingdomViridiplantae
    4. PhylumStreptophyta
    5. ClassMagnoliopsida
    6. OrderCaryophyllales
    7. FamilyCactaceae
    8. GenusCarnegiea
    9. SpeciesCarnegiea gigantea
    Advanced classification

    Complete source lineage, including intermediate ranks. The standard view uses Life and the eight principal ranks.

    1. cellular organisms cellular root
    2. Eukaryota domain
    3. Viridiplantae kingdom
    4. Streptophyta phylum
    5. Streptophytina subphylum
    6. Embryophyta clade
    7. Tracheophyta clade
    8. Euphyllophyta clade
    9. Spermatophyta clade
    10. Magnoliopsida class
    11. Mesangiospermae clade
    12. eudicotyledons clade
    13. Gunneridae clade
    14. Pentapetalae clade
    15. Caryophyllales order
    16. Cactineae suborder
    17. Cactaceae family
    18. Cactoideae subfamily
    19. Echinocereeae tribe
    20. Carnegiea genus
    21. Carnegiea gigantea species
    Open in taxonomy explorer ↗

    Structure and identification

    A pleated green trunk may develop large upward branches. Spines cover the surface, and flowers form near growing stem tips.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Habitat and range

    Suitable Sonoran Desert sites provide the temperature and rainfall conditions needed for establishment and survival.

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    Nutrition and metabolism

    The green stem performs photosynthesis, while widespread shallow roots rapidly take up water after rain.

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    Biological activity

    Stem expansion accommodates stored water. Growth and the development of arms occur over a long period.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Reproduction and life cycle

    Flowers are followed by fleshy fruits containing many seeds. Seedling establishment is much less frequent than seed production.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Geographic distribution

    The native range is within the Sonoran Desert, but the cactus does not occupy every part of that desert.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Ecological role

    Flowers and fruits feed wildlife, while large stems provide shelter and nesting opportunities.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Distinctive adaptations

    Pleated water storage and a broad, shallow root system help exploit brief rainfall events.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Conservation

    Habitat change, fire and unsuitable climate can affect recruitment and survival. Long-lived adults alone do not demonstrate successful regeneration.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Evidence

    Sources

    Connected life

    No reviewed ecological connections in the collection yet.

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