Index / Plants & Trees / Saguaro Cactus
Plants & Trees
Saguaro Cactus
Water-tower of the desert · Carnegiea gigantea
Accordion-like pleats let the trunk swell after rain; a rigid wooden ribcage keeps it standing when dry. CAM photosynthesis keeps stomata closed through the blazing day to conserve water.
Key specifications
Height
up to 12 – 15 m
Lifespan
150 – 200 yr
Water stored
up to 750 L
First arm
~75 yr old
Sheet 004 · Plate 1 of 1 · 1:1 infographic
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