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Saguaro National ParkSaguaro in winter - Photo by Joshua Boles
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Saguaro National Park
Cacti / Desert Succulents
 

Saguaro National Park is home to 25 species of cactus ranging from the towering saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) to the tiniest type of cactus in the park, the mammillaria (Mammillaria spp). The most common cactus species at Saguaro National Park and within Tucson, Arizona include:

saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea)

fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizenii)

staghorn cholla cactus (Opuntia versicolor)

pinkflower hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus fendleri var. fasciculatus)

Engelman’s prickly pear cactus (Opuntia engelmannii)

teddybear cholla cactus (Opuntia bigelovii)

chainfruit (jumping) cholla cactus (Opuntia fulgida)

 
Saguaro  

Did You Know?
The average life span of a saguaro cactus is 150 years, but some plants may live more than 200 years. A 20 foot tall saguaro weighs approximately 1 ton (2000 pounds).

Last Updated: July 13, 2007 at 19:38 EST