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2023 Winter #1

A World of Cactus

Saguaro National Park 

On the outskirts of Tucson, a small part of the Sonoran Desert is preserved as Saguaro National Park. Here the monarchs of the cactus world, the saguaro, welcome us to a lush and diverse land.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonoran_Desert

Saguaros grow very slowly at first an inch or so each year during their first six to eight years. Seedlings have the best chance of survive when sheltered by “nurse trees” like the paloverde.

   
Paloverde Nursery                                                  Shelter for a family

   
5 to 10 years old                                   Friends and Family
It may be 70 years before they sprout arms.  Long woody ribs support their multi-ton bulk.

     
35 to 70 years old                                           Overachiever

 Cream-colored flowers appear in early summer. Doves, bats, honey-bees and moths feed on the nectar and pollinate as they fly around. Birds also make nests in the cactus.

    
Gila Woodpeekers

Saguaros usually die at the old age of 150 to 200 years but lightning, freeze, wind and drought can kill them.

    
Death 150 to 200 years old                         Returning to the earth

Although the saguaro is the cactus “king” there are many other striking cacti.

     
Hedgehog                                            Fishhook Barrel

   
Organ protected from frost                                                   Agave


In bloom

And others:

           

   

The arid desert supports many useful plants other than cacti. Among these are agaves and yuccas both of which are succulents.

For agave (think tequila) see: https://www.britannica.com/plant/Agave

For yuccas see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca

    

   

Which of the above are agaves and which are yuccas?

Yes we have done several hikes with our friends Joyce and Alan Breach.

    

 Now we move on to Texas.


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