Carnegiea gigantea
There is only one member of the genus Carnegiea, C. gigantea (the saguaro cactus). It is widely recognized around the world as a symbol of the American West, though it also occurs in Mexico. In the United States the plant is essentially found only in Arizona even though it calls to mind the whole West.
C. gigantea can reach 50 foot-tall, but individuals are often shorter than that. The ribs of the cactus provide an accordion-like architectural feature to the plant and also allow it to expand in size. The plant may expand when it absorbs water after a rain. The trumpet-shaped flowers are white on the inside, but the floral tube is green on the exterior. The flowers are pollinated by bats. The edible fruit has been used to make wine and jams.
C. gigantea may be distantly related to Neobuxbaumia and Pachycereus; the three genera produce similar alkaloids.
You can read more about C. gigantea here, and here. You can purchase seeds or small plants of C. gigantean from Mesa Garden Nursery.
written by: jshaw at opuntiads.com
